Disinfecting Nonelectrical Tools

Following the correct handwashing procedure, wearing the correct PPE, the correct disposal of waste and using the correct cleaning equipment when cleaning spillages, equipment and surfaces.

The general principals for environmental cleaning are to ensure the hospital environment is as clean as possible to reduce the risk of infection, and that all precautions are taken in accordance to legislation and Healthcare policy’s and guidelines. “To prevent the transfer of micro-organisms which may cause infection, and to prevent the transfer of foreign protein which may cause adverse reaction and pose the risk of spreading diseases e.g. vCJD. “

Cleaning is the first step in reprocessing instruments and it is called decontamination. The cleaning process is all soiled instruments placed in the prewash ultrasonic washer for ten minutes to remove any bacterial spores for instance, blood, tissue, and bone fragments. Then the instruments are sent through a wall washer. The wall washers are designed for the final cleaning of all instruments. Once the washer is finished, it unloads in the

All areas that are being used for healthcare activities should be cleaned with either disinfectant wipes each morning and in between patients/procedures. Equipment should be all new out of the packets and clean. For things more major such as vasectomy’s, minor surgery or family planning clinics, areas should be cleaned everywhere with a disinfectant fluid and also with wipes, gloves should always be worn as well as other PPE such as aprons and hats. All equipment should be new from the packet and only touched by the person who is using

9. After the 48 hour time period the inhibition of the Escherichia coli bacteria around the disinfectant disks was measured. A ruler was used to measure the clearing from the edge of the disk to the perimeter of the clearing. Irregularities in the clearing were not included in the area of clearing.

The last form of sterilization I am going to talk about is cold sterile. The reason for cold sterile is not all items can go into heat sterilization. Liquid sterilant, such as 2% to 3.4% glutataldehyde, must be used for this type of sterilization. In order for the cold sterile to work the items must be fully submerged for no less than 10 hours, anything less than that would only be disinfection. This form of sterilization also requires a material safety data sheet due to it being a chemical.

It is also important to keep learning about the new disinfectants that come out; there are constant upgrades and improvements being made with these products. There are so many different types of disinfectants so it’s important for you to choose the one that’s best suited for you. When looking for a disinfectant it’s also important to pick one that has an efficacy claim on the label. Efficacy means that it is able to produce and effect, it is also the effectiveness of the products ability to kill organisms when used correctly. Disinfectants also require upkeep; you have to be sure to change after the period of time recommended by the manufacturer. It is important to always wear gloves and safety glasses when handling disinfectant solutions. You should always keep an MSDS for the disinfectant, and always use tongs when removing items from disinfectant. You never want to let a disinfectant come in contact with your skin, if you ever do you should immediately wash with soap and warm water, rinse, and dry thourghly. Always dilute products as specified of the instructions on the label. The most common disinfectant in spas is Quaternary ammonium compounds, or “Quats”. Quats usually disinfects in ten minutes, some contain antirust ingredients so if you leave tools in the solution for too long it can cause dulling or damage. After they are in the solution for the specified time you should rinse, dry, then store in a clean, covered

* Aprons must be removed and discarded appropriately. Hands should then be washed and dried or decontaminated with alcohol handrub.

Wash your hands and all of the equipment with mild soap and water. As a final rinse on the equipment, use deionized water. Dry all equipment thoroughly.

The facility can assure that nurses’ aides and nurses follow the hand washing requirements by following and practicing standard health compliance. Let employee know the standard feature of when and why the hand washing compliance is applicable and how to do it. Nurses and nurse’s aide can use many strategies to remove microbes from objects and surfaces. Simply washing the object or surface with soap and water will remove dirt and some microbes. Or you can use disinfectant to kill microbes on the object or surface.

Put used gloves and gown in to yellow infectious waste bin, which should be either just inside the room or outside the door before leaving the room.

Different gloves should be used for personal care and food preparation to avoid cross contamination. Gloves and aprons should be disposed of at the end of each call. Hands should be washed on entering and leaving each call and after smoking and eating. Hair should be tied back if it is mid length or long. Tissues should be used if coughing or sneezing and disposed of and then hands should be washed.

First, you clean your hands (either wash or use hand sanitizer) prior to entering patients room.

* Hand washing is the most important method of preventing the spread of infection by contact (Ayliffe et al 1999). The Nottingham University Trust Policy on Hand Hygiene (2009) states that there are three types of hand hygiene, the first is ‘routine hand hygiene’ which involves the use of soap and water for 15 – 20 seconds or the application of alcohol hand rub until the hand are dry. The second is ‘hand disinfection’ which should be used prior to an aseptic procedure by washing with soap and water and applying alcohol hand rub afterwards. The third is ‘surgical hand washing’ which is the application of a microbial agent to the hands and wrists for two minutes. In addition to which a sterile, disposable brush may be used for the first surgical hand wash of the day although continued use will encourage colonisation of microbes. The third example is the most appropriate to any O.D.P undertaking the surgical role as it is the best way for the surgical team to eliminate transient flora and reduce resident skin flora (World Health Organization 2010). The first and second are important to any O.D.P undertaking any other role within the Operating Department as this is the best way to reduce the transient microbial flora without necessarily affecting the resident skin flora

D. Before using the glass electrodes, they must be washed in warm soapy water and put in the UV steriliser to ensure they are clean and free from bacteria. After the treatment they should be washed and wiped over with disinfectant and sterilised before being used again.