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I N F E C T I O N
P R E V E N T I O N
1. All disinfectants are the same.
Wrong. Two of the most popular types of disinfectants used today, phenolic disinfectants, commonly known as phenols, and quaternary
ammonium compounds, commonly known as quats, are very different.
For example, you can't use phenolics in neonatal intensive care units
and when processing equipment that comes in contact with mucous
membranes such as vaginal ultrasound probes. Phenols have been
shown to cause hyperbilirubinemia in infants (an abnormally high concentration of bilirubin in the blood) and can be toxic when absorbed
into the body when in contact with mucous membranes. Alternatives to
phenolics include quats and all other non-phenolic germicidals, such as
alcohol-based disinfectant wipes.
To make sure that you're using the right disinfectant, read the labels
and heed any warnings. Different disinfectants contain different
chemicals. You need to choose the proper disinfectant to meet your
purpose. If you want to clean sensitive equipment such as computer
screens, you must be aware that many of the quaternium- and alcoholbased products can be harmful to touchscreens.
2. You can use products that claim to kill vegetative forms
of C. diff for patients with active CDI disease.
This is a big myth that many manufacturers knowingly perpetuate
with misleading claims. Just because a manufacturer claims that its
disinfectant can kill the vegetative form of C. diff doesn't mean it can
kill C. diff spores. Remember, it's the spores that contaminate the
environment in a room and infect a patient. Therefore, you must use a
product that specifically is labeled to kill C. diff spores. Currently, the
most effective disinfectant for C. diff spores is bleach. Some manufacturers tend to overstate the reach and effectiveness of their product by saying that it kills C. diff. Read the label closely, however, and
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O U T PAT I E N T S U R G E R Y M A G A Z I N E O N L I N E | J U N E 2013
