The most pathogens can survive or persist on surfaces for months and can thereby be a continuous source of transmission if no regular preventive surface disinfection is performed. When deciding where to disinfect, you must consider guidelines established by governmental, regulatory agencies or your infection prevention team. Best practice dictates that Universal Precautions be used. Universal Precautions is based on the premise that there is a potential for infection with every drop of blood and certain other body fluids e.
How do I disinfect properly? Universal Precautions with the appropriate personnel protective equipment should always be used when dealing with contaminated surfaces during cleaning and disinfecting procedures.
Surfaces must be thoroughly cleaned before being disinfected because dirt, blood, mucous and tissue may interfere with the action of the disinfectant. The disinfectant in sufficient concentrations and at the correct temperature must remain in contact with the surfaces for a specific period of time to allow penetration of all the microbial cell walls and deactivation. This is often referred to as dwell time. The concentration, temperature and exposure times are different for each disinfectant and the manufacturer's directions for use and dwell time must be followed carefully.
Manufacturer recommendations are often found on the disinfectant packaging or material safety data sheets. Common practice is to always allow a wet, disinfected surface to air dry. But they are actually different:.
If you both clean and disinfect a surface or object, you can further lower the risk of spreading infection. There are products that clean and disinfect at the same time. To prevent the spread of infection, you should regularly clean and disinfect surfaces and objects that are touched often. For example, in your house, this would include countertops, doorknobs, faucet and toilet handles, light switches, remotes, and toys.
The information on this site should not be used as a substitute for professional medical care or advice. Contact a health care provider if you have questions about your health. Cleaning, Disinfecting, and Sanitizing. Where are germs found? How can I avoid getting germs from surfaces and objects? What is the difference between cleaning, sanitizing, and disinfecting?
But they are actually different: Cleaning removes dirt, dust, crumbs, and germs from surfaces or objects. When you clean, you will likely use soap or detergent and water to physically clean off the surfaces and objects. This may not necessarily kill the germs. But since you removed some of them, there are fewer germs that could spread infection to you. Disinfecting uses chemicals disinfectants to kill germs on surfaces and objects. Some common disinfectants are bleach and alcohol solutions.
H 2 O 2 disinfectants tend to kill a broad spectrum of bacteria and viruses quickly, are mildly acidic, and are effective cleaners. Users should use caution with concentrated hydrogen peroxide however, as it can be unstable and dangerous. Quaternary Ammonium Compounds Quats Quats are a top choice for disinfection in hospital and institutional settings because of their low cost and quick action against a wide range of microorganisms.
Quats can be formulated with a variety of detergents to provide both cleaning and disinfecting ability. Chlorine Compounds Kills an array of organisms including resistant viruses, and is highly recommended for cleaning bodily fluids. Chlorine-based disinfectants are inexpensive and have relatively quick kill times, however they can be corrosive and cause discoloration as well as irritation if not used as directed.
Chlorine Sanitizer II is an example of a chlorine disinfectant, ideal for use in healthcare settings and food preparation processing. Alcohols When diluted in water, alcohols are effective against a wide range of bacteria, though higher concentrations are often needed to disinfect wet surfaces.
Aldehydes Very effective against the bacteria that cause Tuberculosis, yet they need a high part per million ppm ratio to be effective for disinfection. Some bacteria have developed a resistance to aldehydes, and have been found to cause asthma and other health problems.
They can also leave greasy residue and must be in an alkaline solution. Iodophors Can be used for disinfecting some semi-critical medical equipment but they can stain surfaces and have an unpleasant odor think Iodine. Phenolic Compounds Effective against pathogenic bacteria including Mycobacterium tuberculosis as well as fungi and viruses, but also very toxic and corrosive, attacking surfaces while they attack the organisms on them. Some areas enforce disposal restrictions on Phenols.
What to Consider When Choosing Your Disinfectant There are four primary considerations you should evaluate when choosing a disinfectant to best meet the needs of your facility.
Effectiveness Does a disinfectant kill the microbes and pathogens that are of top concern in your facility? Kill Time How quickly does a disinfectant product kill a specific pathogen? Safety Is the product safe to use for people and safe for the surfaces it is being applied to? Ease of Use Are the steps required to use a given disinfectant practical for your facility?
Sign up for Nyco News Thanks for signing up! When formulated as ready-to-use disinfectants, hydrogen peroxide-based products are viewed as being safe, green, and sustainable for the environment. Quats are a top choice for disinfection in hospital and institutional settings because of their low cost and quick action against a wide range of microorganisms. Kills an array of organisms including resistant viruses, and is highly recommended for cleaning bodily fluids.
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