Final answer:
Operational Decon is the implementation of decontamination procedures at an incident scene to reduce and prevent contaminant spread. The effectiveness of decontamination depends on factors like microbial load and disinfectant strength. Specific decontamination processes are determined by the Biological Safety Level of the infectious agents involved.
Step-by-step explanation:
The purpose of degerming is to reduce the number of microbes on the skin by removing them rather than killing them. It does not completely eliminate microbes, but rather decreases their number to a safe level. The effectiveness of a disinfectant can be altered by several factors, including the amount of organic matter present, the type and level of microbial load, the concentration of disinfectant, and the duration of exposure.
Operational decontamination, or Operational Decon, refers to the procedures and measures taken at the scene of an incident to reduce and prevent the spread of contaminants. This can include the initial containment and removal of hazardous substances and the disinfection of equipment and personnel. At the different Biological Safety Levels (BSLs), there are specific operational decon procedures tailored to the level of biohazard risk involved.
At BSL-1, for example, the risk of infection is lowest, and so the protocols for decontamination are less stringent compared to higher levels. However, as the BSL increases, so does the complexity and rigor of decontamination procedures. These can include the use of specific disinfectants, autoclaves, and the immediate decontamination of skin contact with substances using detergent, warm water, and additional chemicals such as 1 N NaOH or bleach solutions.