Peeling Back the Onion: A Layered Approach to Environmental Disinfection

The State of the Practice: Surface Disinfection Touchpoints

The environment is a dynamic, fast-paced reservoir for unwanted microorganisms, so the need for efficient and effective cleaning and disinfection is paramount. Unfortunately, these microorganisms can survive for weeks to months on surfaces.

Research has also found there is no statistical difference in the level of surface contamination regardless of the surface being classified as low-, medium- or high-touch¹. This highlights the importance of cleaning and disinfection being performed in a consistent and compliant manner across all surfaces.

Selection of the best product for your facility can be challenging. Rutala, et al., highlights the key properties to consider when selecting a chemical disinfectant: microorganism kill claims that are relevant to the environment, appropriate wet-contact and kill times, safety, ease of use and customer support, reasonable cost, and standardized use².

Similarly, the implementation of UVC technology brings its own criteria that need to be considered. Some UVC disinfection methods rely on a fixed cycle time and/or multiple positions around the room which can lead to inefficient disinfection and missed areas. It’s important to choose a UVC device that has been shown to provide significant microorganism reduction, minimizes human error, and is validated by sound science.

As stated, it is critical to maintaining the cleanest environment possible. The selection of appropriate products is one component of successful surface disinfection; another important component includes compliance with the process. The human factors engineering framework is critical to understanding the intersection of product and process. 

References:

1. Weber, David J., Deverick Anderson, and William A. Rutala. "The role of the surface environment in healthcare-associated infections." Current opinion in infectious diseases4 (2013): 338-344.
2. Rutala, William A., and David J. Weber. "Selection of the ideal disinfectant." Infection Control & Hospital Epidemiology7 (2014): 855-865.