INFECTION PREVENTION Sponsored by
Viral vigilance requires diligence Disinfectant effi cacy calls for use of the right product on the right surface
by Kara Nadeau
surfaces, reuse of instruments that have not been properly cleaned/ sterilized or other vectors, the COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the importance of safe and effective disinfecting practices. On top of usual efforts to keep patient care areas and equipment free from infectious organisms, stakeholders throughout healthcare are now tasked with additional protocols to stem the spread of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. What follows are some useful tips from industry experts on evalu- ating the effectiveness of the variety of products used for disinfection of healthcare environments, as well as some of the latest product innovations in this area.
W COVID-19: What works?
The COVID-19 pandemic has spurred the devel- opment of a wide range of products designed to help combat the virus. Healthcare providers are challenged with differentiating those solutions truly effective against SARS-CoV-2, versus those that are purely hype.
“With COVID-19 continuing to spread and with healthcare workers facing unprecedented chal- lenges, one question inevitably being asked by healthcare professionals is ‘What disinfectants can I use against this virus?’,” said Richard Lowe, Ph.D., MPH, Associ- ate Research Fellow, Clorox Healthcare. “Fortunately, regulatory and public health agencies in the U.S. provide clear guidance on what products may be used against SARS-CoV-2.”
As Lowe explains, the top resource for identify- ing products that have been tested and shown to be effective against SARS-CoV-2 is the United States Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA)’s List N: Disinfectants for Use Against SARS-CoV-2
hile healthcare organizations have always been focused on reducing the risk of contamination and infections, whether it is dangerous microbes spread by high-touch
(COVID-19). All of the products on the EPA’s List N meet the agency’s criteria for use against SARS-CoV-2, as well as products that meet other criteria, such as having demonstrated effi cacy against viruses similar to or more diffi cult to kill than -o-. “It’s always useful to contact the manufacturer or check its website
for disinfectants that the manufacturer lists as having EPA-approved kill claims against SARS-CoV-2,” Lowe added. “Additionally, healthcare professionals should always check the manufacturer’s website or product label for proper usage instructions.” Ruhof’s Biocide DETERGENT DISINFECTANT PUMP SPRAY has received U.S. EPA approval to kill SARS-CoV-2 when used on hard, non-porous surfaces. The product has been tested and found to kill the virus after one minute. “As the coronavirus outbreak (COVID-19) continues to develop around the world we take our responsibility to support customers during crisis situations very seri- ously,” said Noreen Costelloe, Director of Marketing, Ruhof Corporation.
Ruhof’s Biocide DETERGENT DISINFECTANT PUMP SPRAY
Types of disinfectants There is a wide range of disinfectant methods used in hospitals today. In its Guideline for Disinfection and Sterilization in Healthcare Facilities (2008), the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) lists common chemical disinfectants (e.g. alcohol, chlorine and chlorine compounds, formaldehyde, glutaraldehyde, hydrogen peroxide, peracetic acid, etc.), as well as other inactivat- ing agents (e.g. ultraviolet radiation, pasteurization).
Effectiveness
While COVID-19 is front of mind for healthcare workers, they struggle every day to protect patients against a broad range of dangerous microorganisms; therefore, it is important to select a disinfectant with a broad spectrum of kill.
Richard Lowe 20 November 2020 • HEALTHCARE PURCHASING NEWS •
hpnonline.com
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