INFECTION PREVENTION
Disinfecting in dangerous times by Scott Tomko
Photo credit: oasisamuel |
stock.adobe.com Photo credit: nobeastsofi erce |
stock.adobe.com
T
he effi cient application of disinfectants in hospital settings is integral to both the health of the facility and, likewise,
to all of the persons who work or reside therein. long with the processes of clean- ing and sterilization, disinfection is a chief means of ensuring safety from the pathogens that spread sickness, disease, and hospital acquired infections (Hs). When healthcare facilities are developing
their protocols and policies for carrying out effective methods of disinfection, their chief concern is the consideration of the microor- ganisms which can be potentially present according to the device andor environment. Each and every day, instrument disinfec-
tion efforts are undertaken with extreme precision and care by the professionals in the CPD. Considering the broad range of items that require reprocessing, as well as the varieties of disinfectants (and combina- tions of disinfectants) that are needed to achieve the intended level of disinfection, the processes are highly specialized, with high reliance on time and precision.
The question is how o, how exactly are disinfectants utilized in healthcare facilities and hospitals today to ensure the safety of both staff and patients How do we determine which are the best to use according to the specifi cities of the place and situation What are some of the factors that need to be taken into consideration Proper cleaning and disinfection of instruments is vital to ensure our patients receive the highest quality care that can be provided, said anet Pate, D, H, B, , urse ConsultantEducator at The
uhof Corporation. Evidence-based guide- lines should be followed at all times when processing instruments. f instruments are not cleaned appropri- ately, biofi lm and debris can remain on them, ulti- mately putting the patient at risk for a healthcare acquired infection which could cause negative outcomes.
Janet Pate
Know your device, follow the rules atalie ind, an Education Director at HP, speaks to the importance of under- standing how a device will be used when selecting the level of disinfection ot all disinfectants
are alike, and the word disinfectant is a general term. Different chemical disinfectants provide dif- ferent levels of disinfec- tion, so knowing how the device will be used can help determine the level of disinfection required. That information, along with the devices F, can provide solid information. believe that terile Processing professionals have always had a good understanding of the importance of the disinfection process. ts what we do Determining the right type of disinfectant
Natalie Lind
can often be determined by paying heed to a devices instructions for use (F), as all such documentation should provide succinct instructions on cleaning and disinfecting the apparatus. The F must be referenced and
18 November 2022 • HEALTHCARE PURCHASING NEWS •
HPNonline.com
strictly followed throughout the process (of using said instrument). There may be situations where certain
disinfectants may not be appropriate for all environments and instruments, Pate commented. Determine the ease of use and compatibility with the instruments devices. The duration of exposure and type of microorganisms should be evaluated to ensure the appropriate disinfectant is used. The Fs for the devices and disinfectants should be followed. Each scenario should be evaluated to ensure the selection of the product is appropriate for the intended use and adustments are made accordingly.
Classify with Spaulding HPN asked andalyn Walters, Clinical Educatoranager at Belied, for her thoughts concerning the selection of appro- priate disinfectants depending on the cir- cumstances. he referenced the paulding classifi cation system, the disinfectants safety data sheet (D), and the devices F as critical tools for decision making. When it comes to selecting the right chemistry for your healthcares reprocess- ing department there are many factors to consider. First, identify what is the purpose and level of disinfectant you require. tart by utilizing the paulding classifi cation to determine this level during the selection process. t is critical for healthcare profes- sionals to understand what pathogenic microorganisms they are working to elimi- nate. arious forms of disinfectants are avail- able, including solutions with a variety of chemical makeup.
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60
