CHEMICAL CONTROL OF PATHOGENIC MICROORGANISMS

INVOLVED THE REMOVAL OF MICROORGANISMS FROM AN OBJECT OR BODY PART. Unlike physical method, this method rarely achieved sterilization. Achieve a state of disinfection DISINFECTANT A chemical agent that removes microorganisms from the inanimate object. ANTISEPTIC Chemical agent that removes microorganisms from a living object such as a body tissue. The effectiveness of chemical agents is based on its PHENOL COEFFICIENT which indicates the ability of the agent as compared to phenol under similar conditions. 1. PHENOL A CARBOLIC ACID, extremely poisonous compound obtained fro the distillation of coal tar. It is corrosive to tissues and is used as bacteriostatic agent. PHENOL and PHONELIC COMPOUNDS are standards disinfectants especially used gram positive bacteria. Coagulate bacterial proteins, especially bacterial cell membrane enzymes. GRAM POSITIVE Becoming stained with gentian violet in grams method of staining. 2. HALOGENS Chlorine and iodine are two halogens commonly used as a chemical agent chlorine is often used in water treatment facilities to keep bacterial populations at a low levels.

IODINE is common used antiseptic for wounds. 3. HEAVY METALS Silver, mercury, and copper control microorganisms through oligodynamic action. MERCURY is found in products such as mercurochrome, merthiolete, and metaphen in combination with organic molecules to reduce its toxicity to the skin. COPPER is often used in control of the algae as copper sulfate in swimming pools and water supplies facilities. SILVER NITRATE is used both as an antiseptic and disinfectant One drop of silver nitrate is indicated among newborns to protct against Neisseria gonorrhea. It can be combined with certain antibiotics in the management of burns. 4. ALCOHOL Effective antiseptic applied on the skin. It may come as ethyl alcohol, propyl, buyl, pentyl alcohol. Ethanol acts as a vegetative bacterial cell as a strong dehydrating agent. 70% ethyl alcohol is commonly used antiseptic. 5. ALKYLATING AGENTS Include formaldehyde, ethylene oxide, beta propiolactone, and glutaradehyde. FOLMALDEHYDE inactivate viruses in vaccine preparations and in the production of toxoids from toxins. ETHYLENE OXIDE strerelizes plastic materials used in laboratory. 6. HYDROGEN PEROXIDE Used in rinsing wounds, scrapes and abrasions. 7. SOAPS and DETRGENTS The ph of most soaps is 8.0 which destroys some bacteria that are susceptible to alkali solutions. Used in the mechanical washing of the skin surface. It wets, emulsifies, and solubilize particles that cling to the skin surface.

DETERGENTS are synthetic chemicals developed for their ability to be strong wetting agents and surface tension reducers. 8. DYES Triphenyl methane dyes are often used antiseptic especially against bacillus and staphylococcus species. It is effective in salmonalla typhi and candidiasis. Antiseptics agaonts gonnococal and staphylococcal infections. The actions is involved direct combination with bacterial DNA and the inhibition of bacterial RNA synthesis. 9. ACIDS The common acids used as either disinfectants or antiseptics include benzoic acid, salicylic acid, and undecylnic acid for tinea infections in the skin. Lactic acid and acetic acid used as food preservatives.

SURGICAL AND MEDICAL ASEPSIS

ASEPSIS is a condition of being free from disease producing microorganisms. Implies all the procedures that reduce or eliminating pathogens and their actions or minimize areas of existence. A discipline that consists of a series of events to guard the patient against infection. Used to reduce the direct and indirect transfer of germs to any surface, article, or person as in the following: 1. With traumatic wounds, which are assumed to be contaminated beforehand, aseptic technique refers to applying a dressing in a manner so that additional contamination is not induced. 2. In administrations of preparations by injection or infusions, it refers to a measure designed to prevent or minimized the introduction of pathogens beneath the skin. 3. In surgery, it normally implies sterile conditions in and around patient area. HEALTH PERSONNEL CAN CARRY OUT ASEPTIC TECHNIQUE THROUGH THE FOLLOWING TECHNIQUE: 1. Keeping their hands clean and free from contamination as possible.

2. Ensuring that all sterile items are kept from all organisms. Dressings that are be applied to wounds, needles, and instruments to be inserted through the skin and syringes to be filled for injection into body must not anything unsterile before being used. 3. Keeping from coughing, breathing, or sneezing on wounds or sterile items. MEDICAL ASEPSIS Includes all the procedures used to protect the patient and his environment from the spread of infectious organisms.. ASEPTIC TECHINIQUE based on maintain cleanliness to prevent the spread of pathogenic organisms and to ensure that the environment is free from microbes as much as possible. Involves limiting microbes to a specific areas and rendering objects either clean or dirty.

PRINCIPLES OF ASEPSIS 1. Wash hands frequently before handling food, before eating, after using handkerchief, after going to toilet, before and after each client contact, and after removing gloves. 2. Keep soiled items equipment from touching the clothing. 3. Do not place the soiled bed linens or any other items onto the floor. 4. Avoiding having clients cough, sneeze, or breath directly on others. 5. Avoid raising dusts. 6. Move equipment away from you when you are brushing, dusting or scrubbing. 7. Avoid leaning against sinks, supplies, or equipment. 8. Avoid touching your eyes, face, nose and mouth. 9. Dispose of soiled items directly into the drain in order to avoid splatter in sink and onto you. BASIC PROCEDURES OF MEDICAL ASEPSIS HOSPITAL ACQUIRED ( nosocomial ) infection and CROSS INFECTION ( infections that are transmitted between individuals with different pathogens ) show the need of applying basic principles of medical asepsis. 1. Perform patient care handwash. It is common most important step in preventing and controlling infection. 2. Disinfect materials as required 3. Maintain clean environment.

4. Store and handle linen properly. Store clean linen in a clean room. 5. For soiled and dirty linen that has been used and contaminated with bloo, feces, sputum and so forth. 6. Store and handle equipment properly. 7. Dispose waste materials. 8. Follow isolation technique for patients with communicable diseases.