3-18. SANITATION
Sanitation is the process by which the number of microorganisms is reduced to a
level considered safe for human use. As discussed in Lesson 1, infections or infectious
diseases are caused by microorganisms that come from many sources such as feces,
blood, and body fluids. These microorganisms are transferred by direct contact such as
kissing; by indirect contact such as fingers, foods, water, soil, insects, or articles
contaminated by infectious microorganisms; or by droplets released into the air by
sneezing, coughing, or speaking. Good sanitation is provided by carefully and regularly
using antiseptics, disinfectants, and germicides in the CMS area to kill microorganisms
that might be transferred to a patient or other hospital personnel. Using effective
disinfectants or germicides to clean the equipment, furniture, floors, and walls and using
antiseptics to clean hands will reduce the microorganisms to a safe level.
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