4 Secrets of Successful Infection Prevention Programs
A proper infection prevention process includes simple steps like reading and following all product labels and instructions, diluting products accurately, changing out mops and wipes frequently, and working from the cleanest to the dirtiest areas. Surfaces should be pre-cleaned before disinfecting, making it important to understand the distinction between cleaning and disinfection. Cleaning doesn't kill germs but removes them, while disinfecting kills the germs. This means that infection prevention requires both cleaning and disinfecting, in that order. Further, cleaning professionals should respect dwell time, or the amount of time a surface must remain wet with disinfectant or a sanitizer to allow the chemical to kill the microorganisms on that surface. Among other things, it is important to use microfiber when possible, which removes as much as 99% of microorganisms, provided the cloths are used in the correct way; and be aware of gray zones, which are objects and areas that everyone thinks someone else is cleaning and disinfecting, like ice machines and mobile medical carts. Gray zones should specifically be addressed in infection prevention programs.