Hospital sanitation and housekeeping

1. HOSPITAL SANITATION
AND HOUSEKEEPING
BY:MINA SAM
1090

4. The primary objectives of hospital cleanliness are two folds:
1- To disinfect so that the threat of nosocomial infection is reduced.
2- To create a clean and safe, attractive environment for patient, staff and visitors.
For maintaining a good housekeeping practice at least three things are essential:
I. Standardized Housekeeping material: disinfectants and detergent.
II. Equipment.
III.Technique of cleaning and disinfecting.

5. DISINFECTANT
A disinfectant is a substance that kills microorganisms on inanimate objects.
Effectiveness of Disinfectants depends on four factors:
• Temperature of water: Most effective when the environmental temperature rises.
The same can be achieved by mixing it in hot water.
• Strength of solution: The stronger the solution, the effectiveness of a disinfectant
increases in a shorter period.
• Duration of exposure: The longer a disinfectant remains on the surface the more
effective it will be.
• Cleanliness of surface: The most important thing to remember is that the disinfectant
works the best on clean surface.

6. There are Major four types of disinfectant used for housekeeping purposes:
• Iodophors
• Phenolics
• Chlorine releasing agents
• Quats
In addition to these, there are other types of disinfecting agents such as alcohols,
halogens, peroxides, chlorhexidine , Chloroxylenols (Dettol)…… etc.

7. Iodophors:
They have iodine bases. They are best germ killers with a low pH. However, they
are poor detergents as they act in low pH and stains the surface and they are very
costly, so hardly used for disinfecting entire hospital. They are only used as
antiseptics for skin.
Phenolics:
They are disinfectants with carbolic acid base. They have better cleaning properties
than iodophors. They are derived from distillation of coal tar.

9. Chlorine Releasing Agents:
They are cheap and effective disinfectants, at low concentration and act by release
of available chlorine. They are rapidly effective against viruses, fungi, bacteria and
spores.
Quats:
they are Quaternary Ammonium Compounds (QACs) e.g: Zephiran, Marinol,
Cetrimide. They are non irritating to skin, non toxic and bacteriostatic in nature.
They work best with pH 9-10 and thus effective disinfectant in combination with
detergents. Ideal for use in food preparation areas.