MEDIVATORS REPROCESSING SYSTEMS
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6 GLOSSARY
Alcohol
70% percent isopropyl or 70% ethyl alcohol. Keep alcohol in a
closed container. Alcohol stored in an open container is a fire
hazard and may evaporate.
Cleaning
The physical removal of foreign material (e.g., soil and other
organic debris) from an endoscope. This process is a vital step and
must be performed before an endoscope can be disinfected.
Decontaminated
Removal or reduction of the level of pathogenic microorganisms for
safe handling and patient use.
Detergent
Low-foaming, neutral pH detergent formulations recommended by
the manufacturer of the endoscopes.
Disinfection
Elimination of all pathogenic microorganisms except bacterial
spores on instruments, medical devices, and inanimate objects.
Germicide
broad term that encompasses both disinfectants and antiseptics.
A germicide is a chemical agent that destroys microorganisms,
particularly pathogenic organisms.
High-level Disinfectant
(HLD)
Liquid chemical germicides (LCG) used to achieve high-level
disinfection and are cleared by the FDA as chemical sterilants.
HLD’s must be used in accordance with the sterilant manufacturer’s
requirements for time, temperature, and dilution, to be effective and
it must achieve 100% kill of mycobacterium tuberculosis.
High-level Disinfection
Process defined by the CDC that destroys all vegetative bacteria,
viruses, and fungi, but not necessarily all bacterial endospores.
Hookups
Tubing connections which allow an endoscope to attach to a
device, such as an endoscope reprocessor
LCG
Liquid chemical germicide cleared by the FDA for use as a liquid
chemical sterilant to be used as a high-level disinfectant.
MEC
Minimum Effective Concentration
MRC
Minimum Required Concentration
UCA
Universal Cleaning Adapter
Water
Clean, potable water or potable water that has been filtered by
passage through a 0.2-micron filter or otherwise treated by a
method documented to improve the microbiological quality of the
water.
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