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Infection Prevention and Control of Epidemic- and Pandemic-Prone Acute Respiratory Infections in Health Care. Geneva: World Health Organization; 2014. Infection Prevention and Control of Epidemic- and Pandemic-Prone Acute Respiratory Infections in Health Care.Show details
Different countries have different disinfection protocols. Health-care facilities with limited resources may not have access to a variety of hospital disinfectants, however, alcohol and bleach are acceptable chemical disinfectants if used appropriately. As with any other disinfectants, soiled surfaces need to be cleaned with water and detergent first. G.1. AlcoholAlcohol is effective against influenza virus (252). Ethyl alcohol (70%) is a powerful broad-spectrum germicide and is considered generally superior to isopropyl alcohol. Alcohol is often used to disinfect small surfaces (e.g. rubber stoppers of multiple-dose medication vials, and thermometers) and occasionally external surfaces of equipment (e.g. stethoscopes and ventilators). Since alcohol is flammable, limit its use as a surface disinfectant to small surface-areas and use it in well-ventilated spaces only. Prolonged and repeated use of alcohol as a disinfectant can also cause discoloration, swelling, hardening and cracking of rubber and certain plastics. G.2. BleachBleach is a strong and effective disinfectant – its active ingredient sodium hypochlorite is effective in killing bacteria, fungi and viruses, including influenza virus – but it is easily inactivated by organic material. Diluted household bleach disinfects within 10–60 minutes contact time (see Table G.1 below for concentrations and contact times), is widely available at a low cost, and is recommended for surface disinfection in health-care facilities. However, bleach irritates mucous membranes, the skin and the airways; decomposes under heat and light; and reacts easily with other chemicals. Therefore, bleach should be used with caution; ventilation should be adequate and consistent with relevant occupational health and safety guidance. Improper use of bleach, including deviation from recommended dilutions (either stronger or weaker), may reduce its effectiveness for disinfection and can injure health-care workers. Table G.1Sodium hypochlorite: concentration and use. Procedures for preparing and using diluted bleachTo prepare and use diluted bleach:
Precautions for the use of bleach
Copyright © World Health Organization 2014. All rights reserved. Publications of the World Health Organization are available on the WHO web site (www.who.int) or can be purchased from WHO Press, World Health Organization, 20 Avenue Appia, 1211 Geneva 27, Switzerland (tel.: +41 22 791 3264; fax: +41 22 791 4857; e-mail: tni.ohw@sredrokoob). Requests for permission to reproduce or translate WHO publications –whether for sale or for non-commercial distribution– should be addressed to WHO Press through the WHO website (www.who.int/about/licensing/copyright_form/en/index.html). Bookshelf ID: NBK214356 Are very effective disinfectants that usually work in 10 minutes?Quaternary ammonium compounds or "quats" are very safe and useful disinfectants. Quat solutions disinfect implements usually in 10 minutes.
What are the 3 levels of disinfection?Disinfection. High-level (semicritical items; [except dental] will come in contact with mucous membrane or nonintact skin). Intermediate-level (some semicritical items1 and noncritical items). Low-level (noncritical items; will come in contact with intact skin). What is the definition of contact time quizlet?a solution which inhibits the growth of bacteria usually used topically and only on animate objects. wet contact time. the length of time an item must remain wet with a disinfectant. disinfection. the destruction of nearly all pathogenic microorganisms on an inanimate surface.
What percent phenol and contact time for phenol are required for adequate disinfection of a mycobacteria contaminated area?Contact time.
For example, 70% isopropyl alcohol can destroy Mycobacterium tuberculosis in 5 minutes, whereas 3% phenol requires 2-3 hours.
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