Cleaning has been a hot topic throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. In the early days of the pandemic, many people were wiping down their groceries before bringing them inside, removing their clothes at the front door to wash them upon returning home, and stocking up on disinfectants to fend off the virus on high-contact surfaces throughout their homes.

While it may still be in your best interest to adhere to some of the cleaning and personal hygiene habits you developed when COVID first hit, from regular hand-washing to cleaning frequently touched surfaces, there’s one popular cleaning product that could be putting your safety at risk even when used as directed, according to the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA). Read on to find out if you have this product at home and what to use instead.

RELATED: If You’re Not Cleaning This, You’re Inviting Spiders to Your Home.

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UV disinfecting lights have been a popular pandemic purchase, with the devices promising to kill COVID and other germs in mere seconds without using harsh chemicals.

Unfortunately, the FDA warns that the Safe-T-Lite UV Wand, manufactured by Max-Lux Corporation Limited, could be doing consumers more harm than good. “Do not use the Max-Lux Safe-T-Lite UV Wand. Consider using alternative disinfection methods, such as chemical cleaners to kill germs in the home or similar spaces,” the FDA recommends.

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The FDA is warning customers against the use of the Safe-T-Lite UV Wand due to the excessive amount of UVC radiation it may produce.

The authority reports that the device’s UVC radiation is “more than 3,000 times stronger than what is recommended by an international group of experts,” and is typically held mere inches from the user’s body, making it likely that users will be exposed to said radiation.

After only a few seconds of use, individuals using the Safe-T-Lite UV Wand may experience photokeratitis, a condition similar to a sunburn on the eye, which may lead to pain, redness, headache, and, in rare cases, a temporary loss of vision, according to the American Academy of Ophthalmology. The device may also cause erythema, a skin condition that can cause pain, itching, redness, swelling, discoloration, or open wounds, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

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In addition to the development of photokeratinitis and erythema, exposure to high levels of radiation emitted by UVC lamps or use of said lamps for an extended period of time can potentially lead to the development of skin cancer or cataracts, the FDA warns in a separate notice.

The authority also notes that some UVC devices can produce ozone, which can cause respiratory distress.

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While UVC lights may help disinfect surfaces inside your home, they’re far from foolproof when it comes to killing viruses and bacteria.

“The effectiveness of UVC lamps in inactivating the SARS-CoV-2 virus is unknown because there is limited published data about the wavelength, dose, and duration of UVC radiation required to inactivate the SARS-CoV-2 virus,” the FDA warns. The authority notes that dust or dirt on a surface may mean that a UV wand makes incomplete contact with the germs it’s supposed to kill and that UV wands may not be effective at killing viruses and bacteria on porous surfaces or on the underside of surfaces being exposed to the UV light.

RELATED: You’re Inviting Snakes to Your Home If You’re Not Cleaning This Up, Experts Say.

 

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Disinfection was the word on everyone’s lips in 2020. Maintenance professionals worked overtime clean- ing, sanitizing and — most-importantly to public perception, at least — disinfecting surfaces. Meanwhile, jan/san distributors scrambled to secure supplies, ran an unprecedented amount of training sessions and helped develop cleaning protocols for every space inside a building.

Now, with vaccination rates rising, COVID-19 infection rates in flux, and a pandemic-weary public ready to get back to normal, will disinfection schedules relax? Distributors weigh in on what protocols are staying, which are overkill and what’s just around the corner (hello supercharged flu season!).

Time To Open

The last year brought a mixed bag of business closures and building occupancy levels. Certain sectors, like grocery, healthcare and manufacturing, never fully shut down. Meanwhile, other organizations shuttered properties and sent their entire workforce home. Schools, colleges and universities were open, closed or a little of both, depending on local rules and conditions.

Despite the differences, getting everyone back to pre- pandemic occupancy levels remains a major priority. Now, there is an actual start-up date within reach.

“The vibe on the street is that large percentages of workers will be back after Labor Day,” says Chris Nolan, president of H.T. Berry Company, Canon, Massachusetts. He predicts that the most densely populated buildings will use a “phased-in approach with employees coming into the office three days a week and working at home for two.”

No matter the strategy, getting everyone back comfortably will take some effort.

“Moving from 10 to 20 percent occupied to 75 percent or more is going to be a challenge,” predicts Nolan. Expect that stress to be shared by skittish office workers, overworked cleaners and distributors already bedeviled by an overstretched supply chain.

“Budgets went out the window in the beginning of 2020. Companies that normally ordered 20 cases of disinfectant now wanted 200,” says Glenn Rasin, chemical specialist and lead trainer, EBP Supply Solutions, a division of Imperial Dade in Milford, Connecticut. This increased demand led to well-documented shortages that are not quite resolved.

“Some products, like black nitrile gloves, are still really difficult to find. Plus, inflation is hitting us hard,” laments Marlen Wells, co-owner of Bloomington Central Supply Co., Bloomington, Illinois.

Despite sourcing and pricing difficulties, the pandemic brought some glimmers of positive change. For example, distributors who were traditionally relied on to ship boxes of supplies are now taking on more of a consultative role with their customers. This is a change Nolan finds refreshing.

“We’ve been preaching about proper cleaning, disinfection and education forever, but now people are really listening,” he says. “The average guy on the street has heard about dwell time and dilution.”

Mainstream awareness of infection control and general cleaning practices like this makes for easier discussions be- tween distributors and their end user customers. Building occupants are driving the conversation and challenging their cleaning executives, which in turn, is getting the attention of higher-level management.

According to Rasin that attention is laser focused on clean- ing and disinfection practices in an effort to create safe and healthy facilities.

“CEOs and executive committees are very interested in what is being done, who is doing it and how,” he says. “Proper training is on the top of everyone’s mind.”

Russ Flug, manager of sales and special markets for Iowa-Des Moines Supply, Inc., agrees. His staff is fielding questions that fall outside the norm, particularly from customers expect- ing to return to 100 percent occupancy. Based on the inquiries, it’s clear that facility executives are doing everything they can to create environments that are safe and cleaned correctly in preparation for occupancy.

A large percentage of Flug’s clients are in the restaurant and hospitality sector. This group is accustomed to a diligent cleaning and disinfecting schedule. But he has noticed a few COVID-inspired changes that are sticking around.

“Some hotels continue to disinfect more frequently,” says Flug, adding that it is a way to make guests feel safer and more comfortable.

He has also noticed increased marketing around these amplified cleaning efforts. For example, hotels have made slight changes to the common tabletop sign identifying the person responsible for cleaning the room.

“Now, those little cards read ‘This room has been cleaned and sanitized by X,’” says Flug. “You would never see the ‘sanitized’ before. It’s become a catchword.”

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Infection Control Strategies For The Future

POSTED ON: 9/23/2021

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Zoflora is a disinfectant that can be used to clean many household items and eliminate odour. Experts at Zoflora have revealed the best cleaning tips and how cleaning can create a space that is “uplifting and comforting”. Experts at Zoflora have revealed the importance of prioritising a winter deep clean to “maintain a hygienically clean home”.

The winter weather can affect a person’s mood so it is important to “prioritise” a “winter deep clean”.

Sarah Fozzard, Head of Home Hygiene at Zoflora commented: “As we head towards winter, the colder weather and shorter days can really impact our moods. 

“It’s important to prioritise a winter deep clean to not only maintain a hygienically clean home, but to create a space that is uplifting and comforting.”

In winter the perfect living conditions for germs are created. Luckily, there are a few easy ways to keep viruses and bacteria at bay, so homeowners can maintain a hygienically clean and beautifully fragrant space for everyone to enjoy.

READ MORE: Houseplants: Orchids must be ‘treated carefully’ in winter

Sarah said: “If not done regularly, radiators can become home to potentially harmful germs. 

“We recommend wiping down your radiator with diluted Zoflora to kill 99.9% of viruses and bacteria, whilst eliminating odours and filling your home with beautiful fragrance.”

Bacteria and dirt can collect in hard to reach areas of your radiator, and this can build up over time. 

Another step is to minimise mould in homes.

The best way to use this disinfectant is to dilute it with water. The recommended ratio is 1:40, meaning adding one cap of Zoflora to 40 parts water.

For easy use, add the solution into a spray bottle and spray directly onto areas. Then wipe over it with a cloth.

Simply hold the can 15-20cm from surfaces and spray until a light coverage is achieved. Buff with a cloth for a streak-free shine. It also leaves hard surfaces touch dry in 45 seconds.

Zoflora can be used on items such as worktops, hard surfaces, the sink, bins and kitchen cupboards. 

It is also perfect to use on frequently touched hard surfaces such as toilet flushes and taps, or for freshening up sofas and dog beds by removing any unwanted odours.

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The pandemic highlighted the importance of a safe and healthy home after the authorities issued the shelter-in-place orders. Due to this, people had to stay home to avoid catching the virus. They should only go out to shop for essentials.

The house should make the family feel safe and should not pose any health risk. Even after the situation has improved, keeping the home clean is still essential to ensure everyone stays healthy until everything goes back to normal. Here are some things that you can do to keep your home safe for your family.

Look Out for Hidden Health Hazards at Home

The first thing that you need to do is to check for unseen dangers lurking within the house. These unseen dangers can make members of the household sick. These health hazards are indoor air pollution caused by either biological pollutants or chemical pollutants.

Biological pollutants include molds, bacteria, pollen, dust mites, rodents, mosquitoes, and other pests. Dealing with these biological pollutants requires professionals to assess the situation and make recommendations on what they have to do.

You can get in touch with a mold remediation company to deal with molds. On the other hand, you should contact a reputable mosquito control company to deal with pests in the home. These professionals have the skills and equipment to deal with all types of pests that can infest the home. They can make the home safer for the family, especially the young ones.

When it comes to chemical pollutants, you will have to deal with carbon monoxide, volatile organic compounds, radon, and ozone. These pollutants are not easy to detect, which means you need to install special equipment to check for their presence.

Similar to biological pollutants, you should also contact professionals to deal with these pollutants. You may think about doing it yourself, but these professionals have the experience and tools to take care of these hidden health hazards to ensure your family stays safe inside your home.

Keep the Exterior and Yard Clean

Aside from these hidden health hazards, you also have to keep the house’s exterior clean. Keeping these areas clean requires fixing holes and cracks, removing standing water, and ensuring that trash is placed inside a sealed container.

This allows you to keep pests away from the house or not attract them to your home, especially if you have trees and shrubs in the yard. Trees and shrubs can serve as nesting places of pests that may consider invading your home if they find it appealing enough for them.

You should also keep the gutters and downspouts clean of debris. If the home was built before 1978, you should make sure to use safe work practices if you plan to renovate, remodel, or even repaint the structure. Cleaning the home every year is also a good idea, especially if you have small children living with you.

Making the Rooms Safe for the Family

To keep the different rooms in the home safe for the family, you should install a smoke alarm in each room. You should also test the alarms every month and replace their batteries annually. Carbon monoxide detectors are also useful near the bedrooms, and you should avoid smoking near the house.

Cleaning up clutter makes the home unappealing to pests. So, you should make sure to have a place for everything, including clothing, shoes, and toys. Testing for lead paint is essential for homes build constructed before 1978.

You may also want to replace the paint if you detect lead paint on any of the walls. But make sure to follow safe work practices when doing this.

Keep the Kitchen Safe and Clean

The kitchen is normally the place that attracts pests the most since it is where you prepare food. And during food preparation, you may end up with bits of food on the counter and the floor. These bits of food will attract pests. So, you should make sure to keep it clean to prevent this situation.

Cleaning the kitchen also reduces the risk of exposure to bacteria and allergens that may get mixed up in the food. So, you should keep your hands clean while preparing the food. You should also clean the counter and floor to make sure there are no food particles in these places. Additionally, you should make sure to store all ingredients in sealed containers to avoid attracting pests into the house.

Keeping the home clean is essential for the health and safety of the family in the middle of a pandemic.

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Over a year and a half since the start of the health crisis, it cannot be denied that the Philippines has been one of the hardest-hit countries. Apart from enduring one of the longest lockdowns in the world, the country also ranks lowest in global resilience rankings as it had to deal with numerous waves of surges and overstretched medical facilities and frontliners. 

The country experienced several surges in cases throughout 2021, highlighted by a record-high 26,000 cases reported in September. In the same month, the country was averaging around 18,600 new cases a day, which left everyone fearful for their safety and their future. 

Even the youth was not spared, as schools have remained closed since March 2020. Only until recently did some public schools open their doors again in a test run.

With all these setbacks, it is the marginalized sectors of society that have been hit the hardest, just as it impacted the country’s healthcare system, the economy, as well as all other social services, in unprecedented ways.

Lysol recognized the challenges facing the country in the midst of all this. The brand’s thrust, which is to ”Disinfect to Protect,” weaved in perfectly with its desire to help protect Filipinos from the virus. Lysol hopes to continue educating Filipinos all around the country on the importance of disinfecting their homes and everything in it from the threat of everyday illness-causing germs, including the viral infection still going around. 

Because of the evolving new normal in 2021, the brand took its mission even a step further. It has recognized that Filipinos all around the country needed to be properly equipped to combat the spread of the virus. However, the challenge would be finding the right partners to help further amplify the mission. Fortunately, several organizations answered the call.

Throughout the year, Lysol donated several protection kits to partner organizations to be used in their vaccination drives and holding facilities, as well as protection kits distributed directly to vaccinees and consumers. 

This was best shown as Lysol set out to fulfill its ‘Disinfect to Protect Mission’ by partnering with the Office of the Vice President (OVP), local government units (LGU), the Philippine Red Cross (PRC), and other frontline organizations. In doing so, the brand made positive, impactful strides as it joined the concerted fight against the health crisis.

To date, P44 million worth of donations, in cash and in-kind, have been released to partners.

Partnering with Philippine Red Cross 

Extending a hand to the Philippine Red Cross (PRC), Lysol has donated a total of P39 million, a gesture of support that has gone towards the construction of a molecular laboratory in Cagayan de Oro City, further strengthening mass testing among vulnerable groups in the country, and to support the operation of the PRC’s emergency field hospital and isolation facilities.

At present, the PRC operates an emergency field hospital – an extension ward for patients with moderate symptoms – at the Lung Center of the Philippines alongside isolation facilities at the Ateneo de Manila and University of the Philippines in Quezon City, College of Saint Benilde in Manila, and Makati Science High School.

More recently, it has donated P1.7 million worth of products to support PRC’s participation in the pilot school re-opening in Cebu.

Working hand-in-hand with the Office of the Vice President and LGUs

Shown in the photo are Lysol Philippines’ representatives Alfred So, Regulatory Affairs and Policy Director (leftmost), and Matt Davis, Marketing Director (rightmost) with Vice President Leni Robredo (center). The brand recently donated hygiene kits in support of the Vaccine Express Program of the Vice President. Photo source: Lysol

In partnership with the Office of the Vice President and its efforts towards addressing the health crisis, Lysol donated P1.2 million worth of products, consisting of hand sanitizers, Multi-Action Cleaners, Disinfectant Sprays, Surface Wipes, and Liquid Handwash. This product donation has been earmarked by the OVP for its Vaccine Express initiative in several areas as Lysol’s way of helping support continuous disinfection, even after vaccination. Those who availed of the vaccine received the Lysol products as a step to breaking the chain of infection. 

Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte (leftmost) and Reckitt PH General Manager Aleli Arcilla (rightmost) leading the ceremonial turnover of product donations. Photo source: Lysol

The brand has also forged partnerships with various LGUs such as Quezon City and Manila City where a total of P2.8 million worth of product donations have been provided for use in their vaccination facilities as well as direct distribution to vaccinees. Additionally, a massive information dissemination campaign on proper hygiene habits was likewise facilitated in these cities.

Vaccinees from Quezon City received samples and an educational brochure on healthy hygiene habits, how to wash hands, and disinfect surfaces. Photo source: Lysol

Partnering with families in breaking the Chain of Infection

Lysol understands the need to educate everyone about the importance of disinfection, and families are amongst the top groups the brand wanted to reach out to.

In 2021, Lysol partnered with family Team Kramer – namely Doug and Cheska together with kids Kendra, Scarlett, and Gavin. The family helped spread the message of the importance of always protecting homes with cleaning and disinfecting products. This was seen through thematic TVCs produced for Lysol, as well as social media posts and videos. 

Knowing that proper cleaning and disinfection practices begin at home, Lysol teamed up with the Kramer family, as they do their part in keeping their home environment safe from over 100 illness-causing germs and viruses. Photo source: Lysol

Disinfect to Protect Mission

Lysol is taking an active part in the fight against the virus and has been evaluated by an independent third party as being tested and proven to kill the virus on hard, non-porous surfaces. Additionally, several of its products meet the United States Environmental Protection Agency’s criteria as disinfectants for the virus.

Here in the Philippines, Lysol continues to be one of the leading disinfectant sprays and Pediatrician Recommended Brands for disinfection.

Through these undertakings and partnerships amidst the health crisis, the brand reaffirms its long-term commitment to its ‘Disinfect to Protect Mission’ in the Philippines, as it looks forward to working with more stakeholders towards breaking the Chain of Infection and protecting the Filipino people.

To know more about Lysol and its products, visit its website and Facebook page.

NOTE: BrandNews articles are promotional features from our sponsors and not news articles from our editorial staff.

advertorial, BrandNews, life advertorial, Lysol, donation, disinfecting spray, health crisis, hygiene kits, vaccine, OVP, Red Cross, Vaccine Express Program

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The UN refugee agency, UNHCR, said that security had improved sufficiently in DR Congo’s Pweto territory, Haut-Katanga province, for them to go home “in safety and dignity”.

Inter-ethnic clashes as well as fighting between Congolese security forces and militia groups in parts of southeastern DRC in 2017, have uprooted communities. 

Nearly 5,000 refugees who fled violence in the DRC🇨🇩 of Congo – Kinshasa four years ago are headed home voluntarily from Zambia. The first 100 people are living today.
More👉https://t.co/SKWFYqF3QB

— UNHCR Southern Africa (@UNHCRSouthernAF) December 21, 2021

Through intention surveys carried out in October by UNHCR, some 4,774 refugees expressed their aim to voluntarily return to DRC.

International agreement

The voluntary repatriation, which will continue into 2022, is part of the ongoing 2006 tripartite agreement between UNHCR and the Governments of Zambia and DR Congo.

Partners are supporting the returning refugees by providing voluntary repatriation documents, expedited immigration clearance, health screening and school certificates to allow children to resume their education in the DRC.

“As security has improved in some areas of Haut-Katanga, an estimated 20,000 refugees have spontaneously left Zambia since 2018 to return to their areas of origin – mainly to Pweto territory”, UNHCR spokesperson Babar Baloch told journalists in Geneva.

Meanwhile, the UN refugee agency is working with authorities and development partners – such as Catholic aid confederation CARITAS – in DRC to advance reintegration projects, including education, health and agriculture, and to ensure conditions for safe and dignified returns.

Currently, some 18,000 Congolese refugees farm at Mantapala settlement – established in early 2018 to accommodate displaced people – alongside 5,000 Zambians, across 11 integrated villages.

As Zambia continues to host 103,000 refugees, asylum seekers, and former refugees, including more than 63,000 from DR Congo, over the past three years around 20,000 Congolese have left to return home.

The UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and World Food Programme (WFP) are assisting in repatriation efforts.

Agency support

The two agencies have provided buses and trucks to help transport refugees, their belongings and food for the journey, Families will receive a cash grant to help them pick up their lives again in the DRC.

“UNHCR will disinfect the buses, provide face masks, hand sanitizers and, together with the authorities, ensure that COVID-19 prevention measures are observed, including loading of buses to half the capacity”, Mr. Baloch said.

UNICEF has improved water and sanitation facilities at the reception centre in Chiengi district, where returning refugees are being housed for the night to process immigration documents, before embarking on the final leg of their journey home.

And Zambian authorities are providing rapid COVID-19 tests for the returning refugees, at the Mantapala Rural Health Centre.

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The Challenge
Kitchens are among a home’s germiest spots, says Donald Schaffner, PhD, a Rutgers University professor of food microbiology. And with many of us eating our three squares at home day in and day out, food-prep grunge builds up fast on appliances and counters.

Top Tools
Sponge, baking soda, soft cloth, disinfectant cleanser, dish soap, abrasive cleaner (either gel or spray), glass cleaner or stainless steel polish.

Dirt-Busters
Remove smudges from appliance exteriors with a cleaning and polishing product made for stainless steel (if you have that finish) or just a damp cloth for other materials.

Wipe off food and grease from gas stovetops with a scrub pad and hot, soapy water after meal prep. The same should help inside the oven. There, cover tough stains with a wet cloth, let it sit a bit, and then hit them with the scrub pad and soapy water again.

For badly stained burner covers and grates, leave them overnight in a sealable plastic bag with one-fourth cup of ammonia so you can easily wipe them clean the next day. (Ventilate when using ammonia.)

Really need a deep clean? While some ovens have lower-temperature self-cleaning modes, high-temperature self-cleaning is the most effective, says Tara Casaregola, who oversees CR’s range tests.

To keep odors and gunk in your fridge at bay, go over plastic surfaces regularly with a sponge dipped in a cup of baking soda mixed with a quart of water. (An open box of baking soda in the fridge helps odor-proof further.) Wipe the door gasket with a damp sponge or cloth to maintain a good seal and keep the cold air in.

Smelly dishwasher? Pull out any food bits you see at the bottom, and rinse the filter as needed. You can also remove the spray arms and poke out any food that’s stuck in the holes with a toothpick.

Put condensation to work for microwave cleaning. Pop a bowl of water mixed with a quarter-cup of lemon juice inside and run the unit on high for a minute, then wipe. If caked-on food won’t budge, scrape it off with an old credit card. (But avoid the window.) This works in ovens, too.

For food particles and grease residue on sinks, check with the manufacturer for abrasive cleaners that won’t scratch, advises Brian Sansoni, senior vice president at the American Cleaning Institute. “In general, liquid, spray, and gel cleansers are less abrasive than powders,” he says.

With countertops, “care isn’t one-size-fits-all,” says John Galeotafiore, director of product testing at CR. So follow the manufacturer’s advice for cleaning yours. For instance, an end-of-day sweep with a damp cloth may be all you need for quartz, while a soft cloth or sponge dipped in dish liquid and water works for granite, laminate, and butcher block.

In general, skip scrubber sponges on counters, Dickerson says. “It can score them, leaving crevices and cracks where bacteria can get in and reside,” he says.

Germ Warfare
If someone at home has COVID-19, going over high-touch areas like countertops and fridge handles with a soapy sponge will wash away virus particles, Goldman says, but you can also use a coronavirus-killing disinfectant. Otherwise, attend to areas where high levels of microbes are common: sponges and sink drains.

“When there’s moisture and food, bacteria can multiply,” Schaffner says. So at least weekly, use a scrub brush to clear the sink drain of food particles and grime, then spray it with a household disinfectant. Throw dirty sponges in the dishwasher with a drying cycle, or microwave for a minute with a bit of water in a dish. The Department of Agriculture found these to be the best methods for killing foodborne bacteria.

Clean, then disinfect surfaces and items that have come into contact with raw meat or eggs, says Marshall (think countertops, handles, sinks). Cleaning away visible dirt first with soap and water will enhance disinfectant effectiveness. Mop up food spills in the fridge right away. You may also want to swab the inner surfaces regularly with soap and water or a disinfectant. And give grubby shelves and bins a warm water and soap bath in the sink, says Larry Ciufo, CR’s test engineer for refrigerators.

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Useful Tips For Healthcare Business Owners On How To Properly Disinfect Their Place

During the pandemic, there are many safety guidelines that we need to follow in order to protect ourselves from getting infected with COVID.

The rules of social distancing and personal hygiene from hand washing protocols to wearing face masks have been enforced all over the world. The situation is even more strict in healthcare facilities, where doctors and nurses deal with patients every day. Pandemic or not, any healthcare business owner should follow strict hygienic and safety guidelines. Here’s how healthcare business owners should disinfect their workplace.

Personal Hygiene

The first step is to take care of personal hygiene. When you are aware of where your hands were and disinfect them regularly, you will be mindful of other surfaces that need to be disinfected. There are certain rules to bear in mind. Wash your hands regularly with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Repeat this procedure before and after meals and especially after using the restroom. Keep a 70% alcohol sanitizer in your pockets at all times in case soap and water are not accessible.

Resist the urge to touch your face, and if you must, sanitize your hands first and use clean tissue paper on your eyes, nose, or mouth. Your personal items must be sterilized regularly including your wallet, phone, and keys, and other frequently used objects. Disinfect all the surfaces in your office that are touched often like doorknobs, desks, and computers. Always keep rooms ventilated as much as possible by opening the windows to allow fresh air to enter. If you feel sick, you should isolate yourself immediately and get tested for COVID.

When Dealing with a Patient

There are five situations where you would need to disinfect your hands when dealing with a patient. The first is before you touch the patient. Disinfect your hand using a 70% hand sanitizer that should be attached to every bed, office, and hallway in your facility. This is done to protect the patient from any germs that can be transmitted by the healthcare worker. The second is before you perform any type of procedure on a patient. This may include inserting a needle or medical tubing, administering medicine in mucous membranes, like eye drops or suppositories, treating wounds and burns, and performing other invasive procedures. The third is after any procedure to protect yourself and other healthcare workers from possible infections.

The fourth is after touching a patient, whether with a normal handshake or checking for vitals or any other noninvasive exam. The fifth is after touching the objects and items surrounding the patient. This is because the patient usually touches surfaces within their surroundings and does not necessarily disinfect their hands after each object they come in contact with. These objects include the patient’s bed, bedside chart, bedside table or locker, light switch, remote control, chair, or any other item in the room.

Common Areas

Any areas that most people use in the healthcare facility like the cafeteria or dining room area, meeting rooms, or reception desk should be cleaned regularly. To prevent the aerial dissemination of C-Diff spores, every surface that is frequently touched should be disinfected several times a day. Consulting offices should be cleaned and disinfected after every patient leaves and before a new one enters. Any surface that may come in contact with respiratory droplets must be disinfected routinely. High-intensity rooms like the intensive care unit and outpatient areas should be disinfected more often than other less used areas.

Disinfection and Cleaning

After cleaning any surface, it should be further disinfected to remove any pathogens that were left after cleaning. A disinfectant solution is composed of bleach and water. Follow the instructions on the bleach container carefully. Avoid adding any other chemicals or cleaners to the bleach solution because it will result in harmful vapors. Make sure to wear protective gear when using this solution like gloves, face mask, and face shield or goggles to protect your eyes from potential splashes. Set the air-conditioning system to allow fresh air inside and open the windows whenever you can for proper ventilation.

When a patient leaves your facility, their room must be cleaned thoroughly and disinfected. Any medical equipment used on the patient must be disposed of properly. The patient’s sheets or disposable screens and curtains must be thrown away. The bed, table, chairs, windows, and every surface should be disinfected to make the room ready for the next patient. These procedures must be strictly followed to try and minimize the chance of infection as much as possible in healthcare facilities.

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