Healthcare Hygiene magazine September 2020 September 2020 | Page 25

TRANSMISSION DYNAMICS AND COVID-19
It is believed that to reduce the risk of healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) and occupationally
associated infections (OAIs) one must clean, disinfect, and sterilize surfaces, devices, instruments, textiles,
and patient care items better.
2. Assemblies: Multiple surface materials on any one
product must be evaluated first individually and then as
an assembly for use and cleanability. Not all materials
on any one product can necessarily be cleaned and
disinfected the same way. Examples: beds and other
medical devices, furniture…
3. Manufacturer Warnings and Instructions for Use
(IFUs): Ask the question, “Can this material or product
be cleaned and disinfected using what is currently
being used in any facility?” Moreover, can the materials
withstand rigorous disinfection protocols and processes
recommended in any specific area of a healthcare facility
without damage? Surface disinfection compatibility
issues get incredibly expensive when a product must
be repaired or replaced. Talk with manufacturers
and be sure that they have tested all categories of
EPA-registered, hospital-grade disinfectants.
4. Surface Materials and Textiles: There are many
different surface materials and textiles used within
healthcare facilities, both in the built environment and
products used during patient care.
5. Cleaning, Disinfection/Sterilization: Infection
prevention protocol, processes and products that will be
used must be considered and an evaluation completed
before products and surfaces are purchased and put
into service.
6. Human Behavior: Humans continually interact
with surfaces and move throughout the healthcare
facility. While hand hygiene is critical, clothing and
other products also move throughout the facility. Many
questions exist around human behavior and transmission
of microbes that cause deadly infections.
7. Microbiology: There are surface materials that support
the proliferation of microbes despite routine cleaning.
Manufacturers lack standardized testing for microbes
that allow purchasers to compare products equitably.
We have the least control over microbes.
Note: Many products have multiple surface materials
that cannot all be cleaned, disinfected and sterilized
the same way; when they are, damage occurs creating
reservoirs for microbes to harbor out of the reach of
biocides.
It is believed that to reduce the risk of healthcare-associated
infections (HAIs) and occupationally associated infections
(OAIs) one must clean, disinfect, and sterilize surfaces, devices,
instruments, textiles, and patient care items better. This certainly
is one aspect of the solution. Unfortunately, it will not adequately
address the entire problem.
When all aspects are included in the Hierarchy of Controls, a
proactive strategy becomes clearer and more distinct. Patient and
healthcare worker risks are minimized, and sustainable solutions
and relationships can be realized.
Linda Lybert is the founder and executive director of the
Healthcare Surfaces Institute.
Expert
Infection
Prevention
Consulting
Available
Sue Barnes, RN, CIC, FAPIC,
is an independent clinical consultant, boardcertified
in infection prevention and control
(CIC), a fellow of APIC (FAPIC) and co-founder
of the National Corporate IP Director Network.
She currently provides marketing and clinical consultation
to select industry partners who seek to support infection
prevention with innovative products.
Learn more about her services at: www.zeroinfections.org
www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com • september 2020
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