As a chemical provider to healthcare facilities in Spokane, WA, we know how important proper sanitation is for clinics and hospitals. According to a recent World Health Organization study, one patient out of every 136 acquires a serious infection while in a U.S. hospital. Numbers like these are what prompt those in the healthcare industry to take surface sanitation so seriously.
Surface sanitation is a critical line of defense against the spread of infection, and not all sanitation products are equal. In the past, bleach has often been used to disinfect surfaces, wiping it with a cotton rag. Newer research shows this may not be the most effective method.
Factors that Effect the Number of Microorganisms on a Surface
- The number of people present in the room, clinic, or ward
- The amount of activity near the surface
- The moisture level in the air and on the surface
- The presence of materials that promote or support the growth of the microorganisms
- The orientation of the surface, vertical or horizontal
Take Staphylococcus aureus as an example. This germ can live on a dry surface for up to three weeks, and it can cause infections on the skin, during surgery, and even cause food poisoning.
Cleaning means removing all of the dirt, body fluids, and debris from a surface using water and detergents. It is only the first step of sanitization. While scrubbing the surfaces and removing the dirt and fluids will remove a good number of the lurking microorganisms, it won’t get rid of all of them. A high-level of disinfection is required to remove all microorganisms.
It is important that those in the healthcare industry select the right chemical germicides to achieve surface sanitation. These chemical sanitation cleansers can include alcohol, hypochlorites, chlorohexidine, iodophors, phenolics, quaternary amine compounds, or hydrogen peroxide. Your chemical provider can discuss the merits and uses of each of these chemicals to help your company decide which is best.
At Advanced Chemical Solutions, we have been working with members of the healthcare industry for years. Our chemical experts in Spokane, WA understand the need for proper sanitation techniques, and they can help you find the perfect sanitizer to achieve those needs. Let us provide you with the tools you need to protect your patients and your healthcare providers. We can supply all of the technical data you need, and explain the dilution ratios and minimum exposure time for each of the sanitation chemicals.
