2021 Tianjin Medical and Health Clinical Knowledge Points: Common Disinfection and Sterilization Methods

>>> 2021 Tianjin District Health System | Health Commission Recruitment Information Summary (continuously updated)

There are various microorganisms in the human body and the surrounding environment. If they enter The wound or tissue may cause infection. In order to avoid the occurrence of infection, strict clinical aseptic operation specifications have been formulated, such as the application of disinfection and sterilization. Commonly used disinfection and sterilization methods are common knowledge points in surgery. In order to help candidates better review this part of the content, the relevant knowledge points are now summarized.

First of all, we need to grasp the concepts of disinfection and sterilization. Disinfection refers to the killing of pathogenic microorganisms and other harmful microorganisms, but it does not require the removal or killing of all microorganisms. Sterilization refers to the killing of all living microorganisms, including spores. It can be seen that sterilization is more thorough than disinfection. In exams, these basic concepts are often tested in the form of multiple-choice or true-false questions.

Secondly, candidates need to be familiar with commonly used clinical disinfection and sterilization methods and their scope of application.

1. High-pressure steam sterilization method

It is the most commonly used sterilization method at present. Suitable for most medical items such as surgical instruments, sterilized clothing and cloth dressings. The upper limit of the sterilization package volume is: 40cm in length, 30cm in width and 30cm in height. The expiry date of sterilized items is usually 2 weeks.

2. Drug soaking method

It has many clinical applications and is suitable for sharp surgical instruments, endoscopes, etc. Currently, 2% neutral glutaraldehyde is mostly used clinically as the soaking solution, which can achieve disinfection effect in 30 minutes, and the sterilization time is 10 hours.

3. Ionizing radiation method

It is an industrial sterilization method that uses ? rays, roentgen rays or electronic radiation to kill microorganisms at low temperature. The method is mainly used for sterilization of heat-labile items, such as surgical sutures, instruments, accessories, disposable plastic products, artificial blood vessels, artificial valves and drugs.

4. Boiling method

This method is suitable for metal instruments, glass products and rubber items. By boiling in water to 100°C for 15 to 20 minutes, general bacteria can be killed, but bacteria with spores need to be boiled for at least 1 hour to be killed. It is rarely used clinically.

5. Fire method

It can be directly sterilized, but it is easy to damage the equipment and is rarely used in clinical practice.

In the exam, the high-pressure steam method is involved more frequently. As for the drug soaking method and the boiling method, everyone needs to pay attention to the difference in the time required to achieve the disinfection effect and the sterilization effect, and you need to pay attention to the distinction during the exam.

The above are the main test points of commonly used disinfection and sterilization methods. After mastering the above content, candidates can answer relevant questions more accurately.