One size doesn’t fit all when it comes to being clean. Each type of facility – whether it’s a school, medical building, or an office – has a different set of guidelines.
Stakes are high when it comes to properly disinfecting medical environments. It impacts infection control, patient safety, and your ability to meet regulatory guidelines. You’re responsible for making the environment safe for people to enter – perhaps in a very critical state.
In this article, we’ll discuss the true meaning of disinfection, regulatory agencies, best practices for all types of spaces in a healthcare environment, required equipment, and proper training for your staff.
Medical Disinfection Regulatory Agency Requirements
With human lives at risk, guidelines have been established to standardize disinfection protocols. A disinfectant, by medical definition, is an EPA-registered cleaning solution used in healthcare settings to kill harmful microorganisms, like bacteria and viruses, on surfaces and equipment. These medical disinfectants are used hand-in-hand with cleaning protocols. U.S. agencies set these protocols to ensure proper cleaning and disinfection in medical settings. These agencies include:
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
- Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
- Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
CDC
The CDC is a government organization that protects the public’s health with comprehensive guidelines based on research, science, and data. Its guide, specific to medical facilities, outlines evidence-based practices for cleaning, disinfecting, and sterilizing medical devices and healthcare environments. It recommends cleaning high-touch areas first before disinfecting or sanitizing. Use EPA-registered disinfectants and correct contact times with the cleaning solutions to ensure proper disinfection in medical facilities.
Patient-care items are broken into three risk categories, each with customized recommendations. These include
- Critical: Steam sterilization
- Semicritical: High-level disinfection
- Noncritical: Low-level methods
The CDC underscores the importance of following industry standards in all medical-type spaces, including ambulatory and home care settings.
OSHA
OSHA is part of the Department of Labor and is responsible for setting and enforcing regulations that ensure a safe workplace. Medical facilities are required to follow OSHA’s rules around safe and sanitary environments, which include:
- Cleaning protocols: Routine cleaning and disinfection with EPA-approved products and proper equipment.
- Personal protective equipment (PPE): Employers must provide PPE for the eyes, face, head, respiratory system, and extremities whenever workplace hazards pose risks to employees. They’re also required to conduct hazard assessments of the workspace and then train employees on proper PPE selection and use.
- Proper ventilation: Rooms occupied by infectious patients must be ventilated. Leave warning signs at the entrance of the infected room until the ventilation is complete.
- Handling of infectious pathogens: Facilities must have clear exposure control plans in place. All staff need to be trained on safe cleaning and waste disposal.
- Working with disinfectants: OSHA’s Hazard Communication Standard requires employers to maintain proper labeling and Safety Data Sheets.
EPA
The EPA was established to protect human health and the environment. Its regulations aim to ensure access to clean air, land, and water. It works with communities, businesses, and governments to manage environmental risks and promote sustainability.
The EPA regulates disinfectants to ensure they meet strict standards for killing specific microorganisms. It also verifies that the disinfectants work according to the label directions, which state which germs they’re effective against. Each disinfectant label has a unique registration number, which identifies the product and verifies the approved uses.
In response to emerging pathogens, the EPA established List N, which identifies products that are proven to kill all strains and variants of the coronavirus (like COVID-19).
Best Practices for Medical Grade Disinfection: Facility Zones
There are different “zones” in a healthcare facility, each having a different set of disinfection requirements. The zones include:
- Waiting areas: These spaces are generally the busiest in a healthcare facility, making them a hub for spreading germs. Regular cleaning and disinfection in medical waiting rooms are required, concentrating on high-touch areas like seating and door handles, which helps reduce the spread of germs between patients and visitors.
- Exam rooms: All areas must be cleaned and disinfected after each patient. These include doorknobs, light switches, and other high-touch surfaces. Exam rooms see frequent use by doctors, nurses, and patients, so proper disinfection can help prevent cross-contamination.
- Surgical suites: Surgical zones require the strictest standards. All surfaces, instruments, and equipment must be properly cleaned and sterilized before and after procedures to protect patients. After each discharge, patient rooms go through terminal cleaning, which is a rigorous, top-to-bottom cleaning process that ensures each surface in the space is disinfected.
Coordinated Equipment, Procedures, and Staff Training for Medical Disinfection
Specialized tools, official procedures, and staff training must be used together to achieve proper disinfection in medical facilities. Using these elements ensures you’re committing to best practices, meeting regulations, and building peace of mind for patients, staff, and visitors.
Specialized Equipment
Disinfecting medical facilities that adhere to industry standards often requires specialized equipment, including disinfectants with electrostatic sprayers and other applicators. Unlike household sprays, medical disinfectant sprays are EPA-registered solutions that meet healthcare guidelines and are effective against extreme pathogens. Hospitals are increasingly using these to ensure proper coverage of disinfectant, even in hard-to-reach areas.
Floor care equipment depends on the type of surfaces you need to clean. Carpets may need hot water extraction and sanitation. Hard surfaces should first be cleaned, removing any debris, then treated with an EPA-registered disinfectant to kill germs. These hard surfaces will also benefit from routine stripping and waxing, which improves appearance and durability.
Certified procedures
Certified procedures provide step-by-step guidelines that ensure cleaning practices meet industry standards. Effective disinfection not only involves choosing the right product, but also using it correctly.
A key factor with disinfectants is knowing the correct dwell time, which is how long a disinfectant must remain on a surface to kill germs. Most EPA-registered solutions require 5 to 10 minutes of contact time. The exact time can be found on the product’s label.
Disinfectants must be rotated periodically. Overusing the same product can reduce the effectiveness and encourage bacterial resistance.
Staff Training and Compliance Checklists
Cleaning staff must be trained in certified procedures. To stay current on best practices, provide continuous education. Visual reminders and cleaning checklists help enforce standards. Cleaning equipment and tools, like mops and buckets, should be regularly sanitized to prevent cross-contamination. This keeps the disinfection process as effective as possible.
Experience a Cleaner, Safer Environment With Medical-Grade Disinfection
Disinfection in medical settings is a routine, but critical responsibility. It keeps patients, staff, and visitors as safe as possible, and offers you peace of mind by lowering liability risk. Combining proper equipment, procedures, and trained staff ensures your facility meets industry standards and regulations.
B&T is a trusted cleaning team to uphold a clean and safe environment in your medical facility. Reach out today to schedule a free consultation with one of our certified team members.
