Hospitals and health care units are prone to cross-transmission of harmful disease-causing germs and pathogens, affecting people associated. There are three types of infections such as nosocomial, communicable and hospital-associated. Hospital-associated infections (HAIs) and nosocomial infections mainly developed within 48 – 72 hours after hospital discharge and can be avoided by maintaining safe hygiene in the hospital premises. From patient rooms to waiting areas, medical equipment to high-touch surfaces, the scope of disinfection can be overwhelming. Hospitals require both these processes to maintain a safe and hygienic environment for patients, healthcare providers, and visitors.
Disinfection and Sterilization protocols help reduce the risk of HAIs by eliminating or reducing harmful microorganisms on surfaces, medical equipment, and instruments. Cleaning surfaces and objects are the first steps in the process. Different parts of a hospital require varying degrees of disinfectants and sterilization. While normal patient rooms and common areas typically need routine disinfection to stop the spread of illnesses, critical sections like operating rooms and sterile processing departments demand intensive sterilization techniques. Removing visible dirt, organic matter, and debris allows the disinfectant to directly contact the microorganisms. Proper cleaning techniques, such as wiping, scrubbing, or mopping, should be followed, and the use of disposable gloves and other personal protective equipment (PPE) is important to ensure the safety of healthcare workers.
Sterilization is and should be carried out in each and every sub department of hospitals with priority to operation theatres (OT), wards, corridors, HVAC/ AC ventilations, toilets, clean room, etc. The surgical items must be properly cleaned and disinfected as they directly come in contact with internals of living body. Similarly, wards and corridors should be regularly cleaned and sterilized as maximum patients and their relatives wait in these places for their treatment. Hospital toilets and washrooms are very sensitive areas and needs to be regularly cleaned and disinfected.
There are several types such as Alcohol-based, chlorine based, quaternary ammonium, hydrogen peroxide and silver hydrogen peroxide, and phenolic compounds. Among them alcohol-based are quite popular due to their rapid action, evaporative nature, skin compatibility and broad-spectrum activity. Silver Hydrogen peroxide stabilized with silver and Hydrogen Peroxide to use in various applications for air and surface disinfection by fumigation, spraying, fumigation etc.
Checklist for proper procurement
Efficacy and Effectiveness: Evaluation of efficacy and effectiveness against the target microorganisms.
Spectrum of Activity: It's important to select those chemicals that have a broad spectrum of activity to address a wide range of potential contaminants.
2. www.chemtexltd.com
Hospitals are the main source of nosocomial infections, leading to major health
issues, requiring timely disinfection and sterilization to maintain a safe and
hygienic environment for patients, healthcare providers, and visitors.
3. Why disinfection and sterilization?
www.chemtexltd.com
Disinfection and Sterilization help to control and prevent the transmission of
infectious diseases. The risk of spreading infections from person to person or from
contaminated objects is significantly reduced by eliminating or reducing the
number of microorganisms on surfaces, instruments, and equipment.
4. How Disinfectants work
www.chemtexltd.com
Disinfectants work by targeting and destroying or inhibiting the growth of
microorganisms such as bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites. They typically
contain chemical agents that have antimicrobial properties.
Disinfectants such as alcohols, phenols, and quaternary ammonium compounds
(QACs) work through protein denaturation
5. www.chemtexltd.com
• Silver Hydrogen Peroxide
• Peracetic Acid Sanitizer
• QAC Disinfectant
• Orthophthaldehyde based surface cleaner
• Glutaraldehyde Disinfectant
• Alcohol based Surface Disinfectant
• Hand Sanitizer
• Hand Wash
General Range of Disinfectants
6. For more information, visit
https://www.chemtexltd.com/products-and-solutions/cleaning-
and-disinfectant-chemicals/hospital-disinfectants/
