Good hygiene is crucial for the prevention of infections and pathogen transmission
in the hospital. With more invasive methods in diagnostics and therapy, and more
medical devices, the risk of infections has increased during the past years.
Cleaning and disinfection of surfaces in the hospital is becoming increasingly
important in the multi-barrier approach for preventing infection, in addition to
hand hygiene and proper reprocessing of medical devices.
The relevance of surface disinfection is being increasingly accepted.as there is good
evidence that contaminated dry surfaces contribute to the spread of nosocomial
pathogens and it is widely acknowledged that proper use of disinfectants
contributes to the control of pathogens.
Disinfection is essential for ensuring that medical and surgical instruments do not
transmit infectious pathogens to patients.
DISINFECTANT:
An agent that destroys or irreversibly inactivates infectious or other undesirable
bacteria, pathogenic, or viruses, but not necessarily bacterial spores, on surfaces or
inanimate objects.
Ideal Hospital Disinfectants
- An agent effective against:
− Gram negative organism (Salmonella choleraesuis)
− Gram positive organism (Staphylococcus aureus)
− Pseudomonas aeruginosa - Broad spectrum
- Fast acting
- Nontoxic
- Surface compatibility
- Residual effect on treated surfaces
- Odorless
- Economical
- Environmentally friendly
Some Hospital Disinfectants
Hydrogen Peroxide
Hydrogen peroxide works by producing destructive hydroxyl free radicals that can
attack membrane lipids, DNA, and other essential cell components. Hydrogen
peroxide is active against a wide range of microorganisms, including bacteria,
yeasts, fungi, viruses, and spores
Peracetic Acid
Peracetic, or peroxyacetic, acid is characterized by rapid action against all
microorganisms. Special advantages of peracetic acid are that it lacks harmful
decomposition products (i.e., acetic acid, water, oxygen, hydrogen peroxide),
enhances removal of organic material, and leaves no residue. It remains effective
in the presence of organic matter and is sporicidal even at low temperatures.
Peracetic Acid And Hydrogen Peroxide
The combination of peracetic acid and hydrogen peroxide has been used for
disinfecting hemodialyzers.
Quaternary Ammonium Compounds
The quaternary ammonium compounds are widely used as disinfectants. The
bactericidal action of the quaternaries has been attributed to the inactivation of
energy-producing enzymes, denaturation of essential cell proteins, and disruption
of the cell membrane.