Biological  control—An   unprocessed   biological monitor from the same lot as the test monitor. When cultured, serves as a control by verifying the viability of the unexposed organisms. Biological monitor—A bacterial endospore test designed  to  assess  whether  sterilization  has  actually occurred.  Also  known  as  biological  indicator  or biological spore test. Bloodborne pathogens—Pathogenic     micro- organisms that are present in human blood and capable of causing disease in humans. Bowie-Dick  Type  Test—A diagnostic test of a prevacuum sterilizer’s ability to remove air from the chamber and detect air leaks. This is not a sterility assurance test. Chemical  disinfection—The    destruction    or inhibition of most viruses and bacteria while in their active growth phase. The process does not necessarily kill all spores nor can it be verified by a monitor. Chemical  indicator—Chemical   dyes   used   to determine   whether   the   conditions   required   for sterilization  are  met.  Also  known  as  internal  or external  indicators,  dosage  indicator,  or  process indicator. Contaminated —The   presence   or   reasonably expected  presence  of  blood  or  other  potentially infectious material on an item or surface. Contaminated laundry—Laundry that has been visibly soiled with blood or other potentially infectious materials. Culture—The    reproduction    and    growth    of micro-organisms  or  living  tissue  cells  in  or  on  a nutrient  medium. Dental  item  classification—Dental   items   are classified as critical, semicritical, or noncritical based on the pathways through which cross-contamination may  occur  and  the  location  and  technique  of instrument use. Critical items—Instruments and materials that penetrate the skin, mucous membranes, or bone. These items must be sterile before use. Examples include surgical  instruments,  periodontal  knives,  and  suture needles. Semicritical items—Instruments,  equipment,  or materials  that  frequently  contact  mucous  membranes, but cannot be sterilized because of their design or inability to withstand heat. At a minimum, these items require  high-level  disinfection.  Examples  include some radiographic positioning devices and plastic impression trays. Noncritical  items—Instruments, equipment, or materials that do not normally penetrate or contact mucous membranes but which are exposed to splatters, sprays, or splashing of blood, or are touched by con- taminated  hands.  These  items  require  intermediate-level disinfection. Examples include the dental unit and chair. Engineering controls—Equipment  or  methods that isolate or remove bloodborne pathogens from the workplace. A few examples include: use of the rubber dam;  use  of  the  high-volume  evacuator  during production  of  splash,  splatter,  and  aerosols;  adequate ventilation  and  air  circulation;  puncture-proof  sharps containers; closing the lid of ultrasonic cleaners during operation; and use of cassettes to minimize handling of instruments during transport and sterilizing process. Exposure  incident—A  specific  eye,  mouth,  or other  mucous  membrane,  nonintact  skin,  or percutaneous  exposure  to  blood  or  other  potentially infectious  materials. Exposure time—The  total  continuous  elapsed time  during  which  the  sterilizer  is  operating  at preselected sterilizing parameters, such as temperature and pressure. Infectious   micro-organisms—Organisms capable of producing disease in a host. Infectious  waste—Termed  “regulated  waste”  and defined  as  liquid  or  semiliquid  blood  or  other potentially infectious materials (OPIM); contaminated items that would release blood or OPIM in a liquid or semiliquid state if compressed; items caked with dried blood or OPIM that are capable of releasing those materials during handling; contaminated sharps; and pathological  and  microbiological  wastes  containing blood or OPIM. Also included as OPIM are saliva in dental  procedures,  any  body  fluid  that  is  visibly contaminated  with  blood,  and  all  body  fluids  in situations  where  it  is  difficult  or  impossible  to differentiate between body fluids. Invasive  procedure—A  surgical  entry  into  the tissues, cavities, organs, or repair of major traumatic injuries.  This  includes  the  manipulation,  cutting,  or removal  of  any  oral  or  perioral  tissue  during  which bleeding occurs, or the potential for bleeding exists. Routine restorative or related dental procedures are not invasive procedures. 9-3