SANITATION

Sanitation Sanitation refers to all conditions that affect need health Is the hygienic means of preventing human contact from the hazards of wastes to promote health Hazards can be physically or microbiologically

Microbiology The study of Microscopic living beings, including bacteria, viruses, yeasts and molds. Microbiology is the biological science on which sanitation is based The Housekeeper, should have some knowledge of microbiology to develop routine cleaning procedures like –Odour control methods –Waste disposal methods –Pest control methods

Introduction to different microbes Microbiology The study of micro-organisms is called microbiology and it can be only seen through a microscope Diseases such as cholera, malaria, pneumonia and fever are all caused due to micro-organisms The micro-organisms often grow rapidly in dark stagnant air Cont….

So, a hospital should let in maximum sunlight and be well ventilated Basic cleaning such as dusting, cleaning and mopping should be carried out several times a day Some are disease causing microorganisms. These are classified as bacteria, fungi and virus

Different types of microbes Bacteria Bacteria are unicellular living microorganisms Some bacteria requires oxygen to multiply are called as ‘Aerobes’ Others that do not need oxygen to multiply are called ‘Anaerobes’

Fungi Fungi cause diseases in the hair, nails, skin and mucous membranes They can cause corneal ulcers and also affect the mouth region It is responsible for pus formation Fusarium and Aspergillus Contida cause ulcers in the cornea Different types of Microbes

Virus Viruses are smaller than bacteria and visible only through electron microscope They can cause diseases like cold, influenza, pox, herpes zoster, jaundice, AIDS

Methods of infection control The main object of infection control measures is to eliminate reservoirs and to block the means of transmission Disinfectants should be properly used to control infection Their usefulness, goes beyond the normal cleaning process – for ex. The use of germicide in mop water Cont…..

It must be emphasized, that there is no substitute for careful cleaning Bacterial, Laden dust (Reservoir/ Source of infection) Air (Vector) Patient in hospital (Host)

Disinfection Disinfectants are antimicrobial agents that are applied to non-living objects to destroy microorganisms, the process of which is known as disinfection.... Disinfection refers to the reduction of pathogens (disease causing organisms), while sanitation refers to the quality of cleanliness....

Anti – microbe disinfectant (Antiseptic) Chemicals that destroy the growth and prevent the multiplication of microbes There are three methods of disinfection. - Natural method - Physical method - Chemical method

1.Natural method of disinfection Sunlight - Direct and continuous exposure to sunlight kills many disease producing organisms - The ultra violet rays of the sun kills the bacteria 2. Physical method of disinfection a.Moist heat - Boiling - Passing vapour/steam Cont….

- Compressed steaming - Pasteurization: In this method, certain articles are brought to a certain temperature then rapidly cooled and maintained at this cooled temperature b. Dry heat - Exposure to heat - Burning the articles that contain germs

c. Boiling - Boiling articles for five minutes in water kills the microbes - It takes 30 minutes for microbes with sperm to die d. Compressed steam - When steam is pressurized it increases to 100°C from its original temperature - Two parts in the autoclave – inner chamber and the outer chamber Cont…..

The materials to be disinfected are put in the inner chamber and heated The pressure and the temperature of steam increases to 15lb and 120°C respectively Articles that are disinfected using an autoclave are 1. Blood instruments for surgery 2. Clothes used in OT (Mask, Cap and the surgical gowns worn by doctors and nurses)

3. Chemical method This involves killing germs using chemicals such as Carbolic acid - is a germicide which contains carbonic acid and soap Dettol drops of dettol are added to a glass of water to wash and disinfect room - It is also used to wash hands Cont…..

Spirit - is used as a hand scrub Bleaching - is used to clean places powder which are dirtied by faeces and urine Iodine - is used as 7% tincture iodine to kill germs that are present in the skin Potassium - is used to cleanse sores permanganate and as a mouth wash

To control the spread of infection Give top priority to the cleaning of horizontal surfaces and also give proper attention to cleaning The use of properly filtered vacuum cleaners is acceptable for cleaning Provide plastic film or waxed paper bags for the disposal of infected materials

Odour control The most effective way to deodorize garbage collection areas & soiled linen storage areas with fresh air, removal of the causes, and frequent cleaning with a detergent-disinfectant solution

Waste disposal The waste must be disposed of in a economical efficient and sanitary way Safety against fire, prevention of cross contamination by infections materials, odour control and pest control are all included in waste disposal procedures The housekeepers should make regular tour of the waste disposal area to be sure that the procedures are being followed correctly and that safety measures are being taken