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3. Are you using the right disinfectant?
Are you applying the right disinfectant in the right way? A 1-
minute formula doesn't disinfect worse or better than a 10-minute
formula, as long as you follow the manufacturer's guidelines, says
Ms. Wood. About 39% of respondents say that they leave their dis-
infectant on for 3 minutes. Beyond that, respondents are split,
with about 25% leaving theirs on for 1 to 2 minutes and another
31% saying their kill time is 5 minutes or longer.
"It's up to the teams — environmental, perioperative and infec-
tion control — to look at the kill time," says Ms. Wood. "Common
sense, though, will tell you that if you have a contact time of a dis-
infectant with 10 minutes, and you're trying to get a 10-minute
turnover, you need to look for a shorter kill time."
Also consider how to apply the disinfectant. If you're not using
pre-moistened wipes, you should pour the disinfectant either direct-
ly on the surface or on a cloth. You shouldn't use spray bottles, as
17% of respondents do.
"When working in an environment with sterile supplies, we pre-
fer that you pour the disinfectant on the surface or on a cloth,"
says Ms. Wood. "The spray can create a fine aerosol mist that
could contaminate the supplies and increase the risk of the
patient getting an infection."
About 60% of respondents prefer single-use impregnated wipes,
which reduce the risks associated with aerosols. Respondents
also note that wipes can be more convenient and reduce costs.
4. Which high-touch objects do you clean?
The question of what exactly should be cleaned between cases
can be complicated. "We know that there are so many high-
touch objects," says Ms. Wood. "It may not be practical to clean
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