BIOCIDES
to the types of pathogens that can be eliminated : 1 . Low-level disinfectants , which are typically associated with cleaning non-critical areas 2 . Mid-level disinfectants , which can kill most bacteria , viruses and fungi , but particularly target a standard of being able to kill Mycobacterium tuberculosis ( TB ) and C . auris 3 . High-level disinfectants , which are effective against nearly all bacteria , viruses and fungi , and are typically used in critical care areas and items to remediate outbreaks of distinct pathogens . These disinfectants are characterised by being sporicidal and their ability to kill C . difficile
While the products offer many options to environmental services and healthcare staff , this complexity poses new challenges for a healthcare facility or network . For instance , as you progress up the ladder of disinfection levels , the times required to kill lengthen , which then requires different types of procedures to be used , depending on the type of product chosen .
A training programme , no matter how robust , must incorporate multiple protocols and training materials for the staff to account for this complexity . This includes proper product selection for a designated cleaning job , requiring staff to continually remember what level of disinfection is needed for the job , and to choose the correct product among multiple types of the same format .
Although colour-coding of products and training refreshers assist in ensuring protocols are properly followed , the reality is that staff outsourcing , and high turnover creates training challenges and introduces a higher level of risk for HAIs when using many different products for different types of cleaning .
The future of disinfection will include the ability to use one product for each level of disinfection , differentiated only by the time needed for disinfection , would significantly reduce disinfection product inventory and complexity , and simplify both training and implementation of disinfection protocols .
Next generation disinfection
The next generation of disinfection is core to Arxada ’ s mission and we are innovating in the development of such new disinfection solutions . Our innovation programmes are creating products that seek to achieve the fastest disinfection possible , which will not only allow faster turnover of rooms and areas but reduce infection and transmission risks associated with cleaning errors , such as insufficient surface wetness to achieve the target disinfection time .
Such innovation seeks to combine product simplification , faster speed of kill , and broader spectrum of kill to enable use of a high level , sporicidal disinfectant product for both critical area and everyday cleaning , providing unique economies of scale and fundamentally enhanced cleaning and disinfection programmes for reducing the risk of HAIs .
Additionally , we are developing new methods around enhanced disinfection claims , enabling innovations that not only address and target current needs for healthcare facilities , but also enable them to address emerging needs to reduce and prevent HAIs . ●
* Also contributing to this article was Lisa Dreilinger
Tricia Ryan
SENIOR MANAGER EXTERNAL COMMUNICATIONS
ARXADA k + 1 973 879 0417 J tricia . ryan @ arxada . com j www . arxada . com
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