Infection Control, Sanitation, and Safety
The hierarchy of control
Distinguish cleaning (removing soil), disinfection (destroying most pathogens on inanimate surfaces), and sterilization (destroying all microbial life including spores). Know which items require which level: critical items (penetrate skin, e.g., probes) require sterilization or single-use disposal; semicritical items (contact mucous membranes or non-intact skin) require high-level disinfection; noncritical surfaces require low-level disinfection.
Hand hygiene is the single most effective infection-control measure. Use PPE (gloves, and eye protection as indicated), avoid cross-contamination between clean and dirty zones, and follow sharps handling rules - never recap by hand, dispose immediately in an approved container. Single-use probes must never be reused unless the manufacturer and jurisdiction permit reprocessing. Environmental controls include surface barriers, waste segregation, and documented cleaning schedules.
Traps to watch
- Calling a wipe-down "sterilization."
- Reusing single-use items or reprocessing probes without authorization.
- Skipping hand hygiene between clients or after glove removal.
- Ignoring bloodborne pathogen exposure protocols (report, wash, seek evaluation).
- Forgetting electrical and equipment safety and latex/allergy considerations.
Rule of thumb
If it enters skin, it is critical - sterile or single-use, no exceptions. When in doubt about an item's classification, treat it at the higher level.
Worked example
After a treatment, a probe contacts a small bleeding point. Correct handling: treat the probe as contaminated critical waste, dispose per sharps protocol, perform hand hygiene, and document any exposure incident if the operator was affected.