Effective Disinfection Methods: Ensuring Hygiene and Safety

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What is a disinfection process?

Disinfection describes a process that eliminates many or all pathogenic microorganisms, except bacterial spores, on inanimate objects (Tables 1 and 2). In health-care settings, objects usually are disinfected by liquid chemicals or wet pasteurization.

What are the two methods of disinfection?

The two methods of disinfection are thermal and chemical. Knowing which method to use requires an understanding of disinfection as a general concept and, in turn, the situations you might encounter in public settings. So, before we explain what the two methods of disinfection are, here are the scenarios where using a disinfectant is suitable:

What is chemical disinfection?

Chemical disinfection is suitable for non-living, non-heat-resistant objects and materials, such as surfaces and medical instruments. In essence, the difference between the two types of disinfection is that one involves moist heat (thermal) and the other uses toxic chemicals to break down microorganisms.

What is a disinfectant & how does it work?

Disinfectants are liquids, sprays and wipes that are designed for use on surfaces to kill germs (microorganisms such as bacteria and viruses). They can play an important role in infection control.

When should disinfection occur?

Disinfection should occur when it is indicated by local risk assessment. This risk assessment should include local epidemiology of multi-resistant organisms (MROs), type of MROs frequently encountered, known infection or colonization by MROs and ward or clinical area profile (e.g. an infectious diseases ward).

How does environmental disinfection work?

Environmental disinfection eliminates most germs by using particular chemicals. For a disinfectant to be effective it must be made and used in line with the manufacturer’s instructions and have full contact with the surface being disinfected.

What Is Disinfection

1. https://www.cdc.gov/infectioncontrol/guidelines/disinfection/introduction.html
2. https://diversey.co.uk/en/blog/what-are-two-methods-disinfection
3. https://www.healthline.com/health/disinfect-vs-sterilize
4. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7158362/
5. https://www.tga.gov.au/resources/resource/guidance/appropriate-use-disinfectants-information-consumers-health-professionals-and-healthcare-facilities
6. https://microbeonline.com/disinfection-methods-and-uses/

Disinfection Information

1. https://www.health.gov.au/sites/default/files/2023-12/coronavirus-covid-19-cleaning-and-disinfection-for-health-and-residential-aged-care-homes_0.pdf