Table 1 Considerations when choosing a cleaning product or approach to cleaning
From: Multimodal environmental cleaning strategies to prevent healthcare-associated infections
Topic | Further detail |
|---|---|
Health and safety | Health and safety considerations may include ergonomics and any risk(s) associated with preparation or implementation of cleaning and disinfection [22]. Appropriate personal protective equipment should be worn when using chemicals for cleaning and disinfection [30] |
Preparation | Include time to prepare relevant solutions and the area for disinfection. Solutions should be prepared fresh daily, or sooner, according to manufacturer’s instructions [31]. Mop water should be discarded and replaced with fresh detergent solution between rooms (including bathrooms), or every 15 min [29]. Ensure there are enough supplies available for the duration of cleaning. For example, in high-risk areas, cloths must be changed between each patient zone [32]. |
Contact time | Ensure the products wet-contact time (the time that a disinfectant needs to stay wet on a surface to ensure efficacy) follows manufacturer’s instructions [24]. This may require multiple applications to achieve sufficient contact time [33]. |
Reprocessing | Cleaning cloths must be changed between patient rooms and bathrooms to avoid cross contamination [29]. Mop heads should be single use or removable for daily laundering and changed between rooms (including bathrooms) [34]. Colour-coded equipment can be used to differentiate between cleaning zones [35]. |
Storage | Cleaning cloths and mop heads should be laundered with detergent after use. When materials are completely dry, they should be stored in a sealed container [29]. Mop buckets should be stored upside down on a suitable surface to allow drainage [35]. |
Compatibility | Ensure the cleaning product is compatible with the material/equipment to be cleaned [36]. Consider how the product may interact with any monitoring approach e.g., microbiological sampling and ATP. |
Efficacy | The efficacy of the product includes the spectrum of activity and sporicidal activity if needed [37]. Review and consider the supporting evidence. |
Transferability of pathogens | Transferability includes the ability to transfer pathogens from one surface to another as part of the cleaning procedure [38]. |
Practical considerations | A cleaning schedule should be developed outlining equipment to be cleaned, frequency of cleaning and responsible persons [26]. |