Hospital Sterilants and Disinfectants

Infection control in the modern hospital environment depends heavily upon the use of a variety of specialized antimicrobial formulations. In addition to the cleaning and disinfectant solutions used in general housekeeping, there are various formulations used for especially demanding tasks such as operating room protection and sterilization or high-level disinfection of delicate and heat-sensitive medical devices. The appropriate and careful use of these products is a major factor in infection control.
Since bacteria, viruses and fungi cannot be seen with the naked eye, extensive testing requirements and government review assure the validity of product claims. Depending on their use, antimicrobial products are regulated by one or more federal agencies (see government controls). The regulatory process also provides the added benefit of uniformly documented use instructions and well-characterized toxicology.
The increased use of non-invasive surgery made possible by flexible endoscopy and other instruments with sophisticated optics and computers has placed increased demands on high-level disinfectants or sterilants. Hospital infection control personnel must be aware of the capabilities of the formulations used in their infection control programs. Label information from manufacturers’ and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines and publications assist health-care workers in the selection and proper use of antimicrobial products.

Nursing Homes Protection

As the average lifespan increases, and baby boomers age, there will be a dramatic increase in the number of older citizens and nursing home occupancy.
Communal living, coupled with decreased resistance and general failing health, puts great demands on sanitation and disinfection practices. Not only may the individuals have compromised immunity, sanitation challenges frequently occur with the problem of incontinence. Disinfection of surfaces is essential. To be effective, a disinfectant must remain in contact with a surface to be disinfected for the prescribed amount of time. A disinfectant cannot kill organisms that it does not contact.
While the situation is not as serious as that in a hospital setting, nursing home caregivers may not have the same degree of infection control support that is available in the modern hospital. Health-care providers in these institutions must be trained in the use of appropriate disinfection of inanimate surfaces and use of antimicrobial soaps against transmission of disease organisms through contact with unwashed hands.