Certification Board for Sterile Processing and Distribution (CBSPD) Sterile Processing Technician Practice Exam

OSHA defines which process as the use of physical or chemical means to inactivate bloodborne pathogens from a surface?

1. Sanitization

2. Disinfection

3. Decontamination

4. Sterilization

The correct answer is: Decontamination

The process defined by OSHA as the use of physical or chemical means to inactivate bloodborne pathogens from a surface is decontamination. This process is critical in maintaining a safe environment, especially in healthcare settings, by reducing the microbial load to a level considered safe for handling. Decontamination involves techniques such as cleaning with water and detergent, followed by disinfection, to remove contaminants and pathogens from surfaces. It's important to differentiate decontamination from other processes. Sanitization generally refers to the reduction of microbial load to safe levels, but it might not eliminate all pathogens. Disinfection specifically targets the inactivation of pathogenic microorganisms but does not necessarily remove all contaminants, particularly from surfaces that may not require sterilization. Sterilization, on the other hand, is the complete elimination of all forms of microbial life, including spores, and is a more stringent process than decontamination. Understanding these distinctions helps in employing the appropriate methods for specific situations in sterile processing and infection control.