Cleaning & Disinfecting Environmental Surfaces

Cleaning is the necessary first step of any disinfection process. Cleaning removes organic matter, salts, and visible soils, all of which interfere with microbial inactivation. The physical action of scrubbing with detergents and surfactants and rinsing with water removes substantial numbers of microorganisms. If a surface is not cleaned first, the success of the disinfection process can be compromised. Removal of all visible blood and inorganic and organic matter can be as critical as the germicidal activity of the disinfecting agent. When a surface cannot be cleaned adequately, it should be protected with barriers.

References

CDC. Guidelines for environmental infection control in health-care facilities: recommendations of CDC and the Healthcare Infection Control Practices Advisory Committee (HICPAC). MMWR 2003; 52 (No. RR-10): 1–48. https://www.cdc.gov/hicpac/pdf/guidelines/eic_in_HCF_03.pdf[PDF-5M].  Accessed March 16, 2016.

CDC. Guidelines for infection control in dental health-care settings – 2003. MMWR 2003; 52(No. RR-17):1–66. https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/PDF/rr/rr5217.pdf[PDF-1.2M]. Accessed March 16, 2016.

Environmental Protection Agency list of registered hospital grade disinfectants. Available at: www.epa.gov/pesticide-registration/selected-epa-registered-disinfectants. Accessed March 16, 2016.

Miller CH, Palenik CJ. Surface and Equipment Asepsis. In: Miller CH, Palenik DJ, eds. Infection Control and Management of Hazardous Materials for the Dental Team, 4th ed. St. Louis: Mosby: 2009:171–185.

Molinari JA, Harte JA. How to Choose and Use Environmental Surface Disinfectants. In: Molinari JA, Harte JA eds. Cottone’s Practical Infection Control in Dentistry, 3rd ed. Baltimore: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, 2009:185–193.

Rutala WA, Weber DJ, and the Healthcare Infection Control Practices Advisory Committee. Guideline for disinfection and sterilization in healthcare facilities, 2008:1–158. https://www.cdc.gov/hicpac/pdf/guidelines/Disinfection_Nov_2008.pdf[PDF-948K].  Accessed March 16, 2016.

Siegel JD, Rhinehart E, Jackson M, Chiarello L, and the Healthcare Infection Control Practices Advisory Committee. 2007 Guideline for isolation precautions: preventing transmission of infectious agents in healthcare settings 2007:1–219. https://www.cdc.gov/hicpac/pdf/isolation/Isolation2007.pdf[PDF-1.9M].  Accessed March 16, 2016.

US Department of Labor, Occupational Safety and Health Administration. 29 CFR Part 1910.1030. Occupational Exposure to Bloodborne Pathogens: Needlestick and Other Sharps Injuries: Final Rule. Federal Register 2001;66:5317–5325. Updated from and including 29 CFR Part 1910.1030. Occupational exposure to bloodborne pathogens; final rule. Federal Register 1991;56:64003–64182. https://www.osha.gov/pls/oshaweb/owadisp.show_document?p_table=STANDARDS&p_id=10051.  Accessed March 16, 2016.

US Department of Labor, Occupational Safety and Health Administration. 29 CFR 1910.1200. Hazard communication. Federal Register 2012;77:17574-17896. https://www.osha.gov/pls/oshaweb/owadisp.show_document?p_table=standards&p_id=10099.  Accessed March 16, 2016.

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