Sanitation, Sterilization, and Infection Control
Sanitation, Sterilization, and Infection Control
This domain tests whether you can separate cleaning, disinfection, and sterilization and apply the right process to each implement, towel, and surface in a Mississippi shop.
Core rules
- Cleaning removes visible debris with soap and water. Disinfection kills most pathogens on nonporous surfaces. Sterilization destroys all microbial life and is not achieved by ordinary shop disinfectants.
- Use an EPA-registered hospital disinfectant with a label claim for HIV and HBV or tuberculocidal activity. Follow the label contact time; a quick dip is not disinfection.
- Porous items such as wood, some brushes, and towels cannot be reliably disinfected. Use single-use items or replace them.
- Blood or body-fluid exposure: stop the service, glove, clean the area, disinfect, and dispose of contaminated materials per Board rules.
- Keep clean and dirty implements in separate, labeled containers.
Worked example
A comb falls on the floor mid-haircut. Set it aside, finish with a clean comb, then wash the dropped comb with soap and water, dry it, immerse it fully in disinfectant for the labeled contact time, remove it, and store it in a clean dry container. Do not wipe it with a towel and reuse it.
Traps
Calling a disinfectant a sterilant; skipping pre-cleaning so organic matter inactivates the disinfectant; using UV cabinets as a substitute for chemical disinfection; reusing neck strips or towels; and storing clean and dirty tools together.