Answer: a. While recent studies have explored the antimicrobial
properties of copper alloys when they're integrated into such health-
care surfaces as stretcher bed rails, IV poles and tray tables, science
has not yet developed a molecular airborne form of the metal that
can remotely deactivate bacterial contaminants.
14. True or false? Whole-room disinfection technologies
are intended to replace between-case manual cleaning efforts.
a. true b. false
Answer: b. Automated whole-room disinfection systems attack the
same microbes that manual surface cleaning does. They also eliminate
the risk of human error due to improper disinfectant application or con-
tact time. But they usually require more time to treat a room than man-
ual efforts do. That's why in ambulatory surgery settings it's generally
seen as a terminal cleaning aid rather than a between-case option.
15. Which factors can affect
a whole-room disinfection system's effectiveness?
a. the room's dimensions
b. how reflective its walls and surfaces are
c. the locations of its equipment and furnishings
d. all of the above
Answer: d. UV light disinfection requires direct illumination to kill
microbes. If surfaces are too distant from the light or obscured by
shadows, you might have to reposition the units for repeat cycles or
deploy multiple units for a single cycle to treat all surfaces.
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