Disinfection is a process that reduces the number of microorganisms to a level at which they do not present a risk to patients or clients. It is only effective if surfaces and equipment have been cleaned thoroughly with detergent and water beforehand. Warm water and detergent should be used to clean hard surfaces followed by disinfection with ppm 0.

Hypochlorite solutions are corrosive and it is recommended that the solution is rinsed off commodes, mattresses and stainless steel surfaces with warm water at the end of the process. Some chlorine dioxide solutions do not need to be rinsed off. Routine cleaning of the environment should be undertaken at least daily. Thorough cleaning with neutral detergent and water is commonly used. If using a hypochlorite solution the area should then be rinsed and dried although this is not required with some chlorine dioxide solutions.

Always ensure that surfaces that are being disinfected are compatible with the product being used. During an outbreak of infection or an unusual increase in the incidence of a particular organism, enhanced routine cleaning minimum twice daily is recommended.

Depending on the type of outbreak in the healthcare facility, certain areas will require more frequent cleaning and disinfection, e. This may be required in the following circumstances:. For patients requiring isolation or if there is significant body fluid contamination: Clean first then disinfect with ppm chlorine releasing agent. Check clean only. If there is any soiling then wash with detergent and water, rinse and dry using disposable cloth.

Store dry refer to manufacturers instructions. If there is not a bedpan washer on the unit use disposable pans discarded directly into macerator. Carriers are washed in the bedpan washer.

Disinfect with ppm chlorine releasing agent or chlorine dioxide solution if soiled. Disinfect bedpan carrier after each use with ppm chlorine releasing agent or a chlorine dioxide solution if patient has diarrhoea or gastro-enteritis, e.

Holders and storage racks should be disinfected periodically using ppm available chlorine or a chlorine dioxide solution to limit the accumulation of C difficile. Wash the outside of Bedpan Washer daily with detergent and water. Disinfect with ppm chlorine releasing agent or a chlorine dioxide solution if soiled. For shared equipment: Disinfect after each patient use.

If there is soiling with body fluids clean with a detergent and water prior to disinfection. Washing bowls - wash with detergent and water cream cleanser may be required for scum removal , rinse and dry. Store dry; inverted and tilted forward. Individual wash bowls should be available for each bed-space to ensure a dedicated bowl for each patient.

Single Patient Use accessories should be washed between use with general detergent and water, rinse and dry. Refer to manufacturer instructions for disinfection of these items. In Theatre use single use disposable brushes or packed sterile for individual use and returned to CSSD. For patients with enteric infections Campylobacter, Salmonella, C difficile etc rinse after use in toilet with ppm available chlorine or a chlorine dioxide solution. Toilet brushes used for such cases should be disposed of after patient discharge or on cessation of isolation.

Disinfect with ppm chlorine releasing agent or a chlorine dioxide solution if soiled or used by a patient in isolation. Disinfect with ppm chlorine releasing agent or a chlorine dioxide solution if soiled; or used on a patient in isolation.

Disinfect with ppm chlorine releasing agent or a chlorine dioxide solution if soiled or used by a person with known infection. Pay particular attention to arm rests and under the rim; clean from top to bottom taking care to get into all edges. If possible disassemble commode for full daily clean and disinfection.

For any patient with diarrhoea or for any infected case, wash and then disinfect using 1,ppm available chlorine or a chlorine dioxide solution, rinse and dry. Flat top keyboards or keyboard covers should be considered for high risk areas e.

Daily clean with general detergent and water and disinfected using a chlorine releasing agent or a chlorine dioxide solution as required e. If patient is isolated disposables are NOT usually required unless there is doubt over functionality of dish washer; ensure dishes are placed directly into dishwasher.

Curtains and screens considered at risk of contamination from infected patients should be changed after patients discharge or cessation of isolation. Clean with detergent and water or detergent wipe; rinse and leave dry refer to manufacturer instructions.

Disinfect with ppm chlorine releasing agent or a chlorine dioxide solution if soiled or used by a patient who is isolated. Water impermeable cover: Wash with detergent solution and dry. Do not soak or disinfect unnecessarily as this may compromise the impermeability of the cover. Water permeable cover: Disinfect with ppm available chlorine or a chlorine dioxide solution.

If contaminated with blood or infected body fluids refer to manufacturer instructions. Weekly: Wash inside and outside include trays, racks around door seals using warm water and detergent with disposable cloth and dry refer to manufacturer instructions.

Disinfect with ppm chlorine releasing agent or a chlorine dioxide solution if soiled or in an area where a patient is isolated. Hoist frame - clean with detergent and water or detergent wipe, ensuring full removal of contamination or body fluids, rinse and dry. Daily or after each use: clean using detergent and water or detergent wipe; rinse and dry. After infected cases or soiling, first clean then wipe inside with hypochlorite ppm, rinse and dry by leaving open and switched on for hours.

Laryngoscope is needed for emergency situations- those on emergency resuscitation trolleys should be kept within the packaging to minimize contamination. When the laryngoscope is opened and checked it should then be placed inside the loose packaging to protect it from environmental contamination.

Local risk assessment should dictate frequency of change of unused blades. Wash with detergent and water, rinse and dry using disposable cloth. Then disinfect with 1,ppm available chlorine or a chlorine dioxide solution, rinse and dry. Detachable mop heads should be laundered daily using washing machine with appropriate detergent.

Dry in a tumble dryer. Follow with disinfection using ppm available chlorine or a chlorine dioxide solution in isolation areas. If soiled with body fluids follow cleaning with disinfection using ppm chlorine releasing agent or a chlorine dioxide solution, rinse and dry. Sluice and dirty utility rooms should be disinfected periodically using ppm available chlorine or a chlorine dioxide solution to limit the accumulation of C diff.

A stethoscope must be dedicated to an individual patient for those in isolation with a known infection. Clean electronic hand piece after each use per manufacturer instructions. After infected case disinfect with ppm available chlorine or a chlorine dioxide solution and rinse. Wash weekly or when soiled. If appropriate refer to manufacturer instructions.

If contaminated with blood or body fluids clean and then disinfect surface with an alcohol wipe or ppm available chlorine, rinse and dry. Clean trolley with detergent and water or detergent wipe daily.

Low level :- Visible soiling should be removed immediately by thoroughly washing with detergent and water. Skip to main content. Cleaning Cleaning with warm water and detergent is a process that removes visual dirt and contamination and in most cases is effective for decontaminating both equipment and the environment. Disinfection Disinfection is a process that reduces the number of microorganisms to a level at which they do not present a risk to patients or clients. Cleaning and disinfection of the environment Routine General Cleaning?

Enhanced Cleaning? Terminal Cleaning? An insect and rodent control program must be in effect. A lab coat, gloves, and safety glasses must be worn when handling infectious materials. The HAMM manual is available to lab staff. Biosafety cabinets BSCs are used when there is potential for creating aerosols. High concentrations or large volumes of infectious materials can be centrifuged outside the BSC only if the centrifuge tubes are sealed and opened inside a BSC.

Labeling done in accordance with Section 7. Keep tubes stoppered when vortexing or centrifuging. Consider using tubes with screw-on tops. If an aerosol has been created, leave the area and allow the droplets to settle. Place cloth soaked with disinfectant over work surface to deactivate droplets of infectious agents.

Slowly reconstitute or dilute contents of an ampule. Soaked gauze can be wrapped around ampoules while breaking or when stoppers are removed from tubes. Mix solutions by discharging the secondary fluid down the side of the container as close as possible to the surface of the primary solution. Allow inoculating needle to cool before touching biological specimens. No infectious mixture should be prepared by bubbling air through the liquid with the pipette. No infectious materials should be forcibly discharged from pipettes.

Used needles must not be resheathed, bent, broken, or removed from disposable syringes. Disinfect countertops and equipment where biohazardous material is used frequently. Decontaminate all infectious materials and contaminated equipment prior to their being washed, stored or discarded. Use autoclavable or disposable materials whenever possible. Do not reuse disposable items. Housekeeping staff will collect sharps waste. Housekeeping staff is not allowed entry into Biosafety Level 2 and above labs unless special arrangements have been made with the lab supervisor, who must ensure safe work practices are followed.

BSL-2 lab staff is required to clean the lab and properly segregate all of the lab waste into the appropriate waste streams. Alcohols: Contact time: immediate to 10 minutes. Methanol should not be substituted for ethanol or isopropyl, because it is not as effective and is a health hazard. Always keep ethanol and isopropyl solutions away from potential sources of ignition.

These solutions should be labeled and dated, with an expiration date of days. Chlorine Dioxide: Contact time: 10 minutes. Chlorine dioxide ClO2 is a strong and fast-acting germicide, disinfecting agent, and oxidizer, often reported to be active at concentrations lower than those needed by chlorine as bleach.

However, it has a shelf-life of only one day for activated solutions, so if it is used a fresh solution must be made each day. Chlorine dioxide is unstable as a gas; however, chlorine dioxide is soluble in water and stable in an aqueous solution. Chlorine dioxide can be obtained by ordering its stabilized form, which is then activated on-site when required. Of the oxidizing biocides, chlorine dioxide is the most selective oxidant. Ozone and chlorine are much more reactive than chlorine dioxide, and they will be consumed by most organic compounds.

Chlorine dioxide, however, reacts only with reduced sulfur compounds, secondary and tertiary amines, and some other highly reduced and reactive organic compounds. A more stable residue can therefore be achieved with chlorine dioxide at much lower doses than when using either chlorine or ozone. Generated properly, chlorine dioxide can be used more effectively than ozone or chlorine in cases of higher organic loading because of its selectivity.

Formalin: Contact time: 10 minutes. At an aqueous concentration of 0. It has an irritating odor and is a suspected human carcinogen. Formaldehyde is not recommended for daily disinfection. Use only with proper ventilation control e. Example: Sterac. Glutaraldehyde: also called a "cold disinfectant" : Contact time: 15 minutes. Two-percent solutions exhibit good activity against vegetative bacteria, spores and viruses.

Glutaraldehyde is toxic, a sensitizer and is generally not used for laboratory surface disinfectant, and is capable of eye damage. Use only with proper ventilation control, such as a chemical fume hood or specially designed slot hood. Example: Cidex. Hydrogen Peroxide and Peracetic Acid: Contact time: 10 minutes. Like chlorine, hydrogen peroxide H2O2 and peracetic acid are strong oxidants and can be potent broad-spectrum germicides. They are also safer than chlorine to humans and the environment.

However, they have a short shelf-life of just five days for dilute solutions, so fresh solution must be made frequently if used. Products now available have other ingredients to stabilize the hydrogen peroxide content, to accelerate its germicidal action and to make it less corrosive. Hydrogen peroxide and peracetic acid can be corrosive to metals such as aluminum, copper, brass, and zinc, and can also decolorize fabrics, hair, skin, and mucous membranes.

Articles treated with them must be thoroughly rinsed before contact with eyes and mucous membranes. They should always be stored away from heat and protected from light. Hypochlorite Bleach : Contact time: 10 minutes. Bleach solution is corrosive to stainless steel; therefore, thorough rinsing must follow its use in the biosafety cabinet. Do not autoclave bleach solutions.

The present stock bleach solution is The diluted solution should be labeled and dated, with an expiration date of 30 days. Note that household bleach is 5. Hypochlorite solutions are classified as irritant and corrosive. Appropriate precautions should be taken when using hypochlorite products: read labels carefully, adhering to cautionary warnings and following usage directions. Chlorine solutions should never be mixed or stored with cleaning products containing ammonia, ammonium chloride, or phosphoric acid.

Combining these chemicals will result in the release of a chlorine gas, which can cause nausea, eye irritation, tearing, headache, and shortness of breath. These symptoms may last for several hours. If you are exposed to an unpleasantly strong odor following the mixing of a chlorine solution with a cleaning product, leave the room or area immediately until the fumes have cleared completely.