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13 Mistakes to Avoid When Using Disinfectant Wipes

Disinfectant wipes are so easy to use that they are used daily on almost everything from kitchen counters to dental chairs. As they are so easy to use, people tend to use it thoughtlessly and sometimes, even carelessly. In healthcare settings, this attitude may have serious repercussions. In this article, we will explore 13 common mistakes healthcare professionals must avoid when using disinfectant wipes.

By standard wipes we mean baby wipes, wet wipes and even antibacterial wipes commonly found in convenient stores. These are not suitable for high-risk environments such as healthcare and dental facilities for three reasons. Firstly, they are most likely not tested for effectiveness against select group of microorganisms such as mycobacteria and viruses. Secondly, they are most certainly not tested to meet an acceptable level of log reduction referred to by international standards. Ideally, a disinfectant wipe must be able to reduce groups of microorganisms to a level that is harmless to human. Thirdly, even if they are tested, there is no indication of the contact time on the product which can lead to tactical error.
This is a common mistake made by healthcare professionals in a bid to save cost. A disinfectant wipe is not an omnipotent killing machine with the going power of Duracell bunnies. They have limitations that must be respected. At minimum, follow these 2 rules: Do not use the same wipe on two different locations i.e bed frame and door handle. Do not use a single wipe for an area larger than 1 m2 depending on the saturation level of the wipes.
Wipes are great to disinfect even and hard, non-porous surfaces. Porous surfaces such as wooden tables and upholstery are a bit more challenging for wipes to disinfect effectively. Consider using spray disinfectants for hard, porous surfaces and wash fabrics with detergent and an appropriate disinfectant.
No matter how superb a disinfectant wipe, when heavy physical contamination is present, a single wipe will not be able to take up the dual role of cleaning and disinfecting. The best is to clean organic debris with one wipe and then disinfect with a fresh second wipe. If the contamination spans a larger area, use more wipes based on judgement and the saturation level of the wipes you use.
It may be just another disinfectant wipe, but it could be made of different substances. The active ingredient in the wipe's solution informs the user about the correct way of using the wipe. For example, quaternary ammonium compounds tend to leave residue behind, so a final wipe-off may be necessary. Alcohols on the other hand, evaporate quickly, requiring extra wipes depending on the surface size. Alcohols also can never kill bacterial spores.
Even if multiple wipes are used, care must be taken so that every inch of a large surface comes into contact with the solution in the wipe and remains moist. There is a standard wiping motion proven to reduce the possibility of missing a spot and that is by drawing the alphabet 'S' continuously without overlapping. On a large surface this motion ensures all areas are covered effectively.
Non-invasive medical devices where disinfectant wipes are commonly used come in many forms and shapes. Examples include dental chairs, stethoscope, blood pressure cuff, ECG machine, ophthalmology chin rest and forehead thermometer. Although using a wipe to disinfect the surfaces of these devices is perfectly acceptable, healthcare professionals must consider the crevices and bumps on them. Additional care must be taken to minimise the chances of dangerous microorganisms from seeking asylum in these nooks and crannies.
Disinfectant wipes begin to dry up from the moment it is unsealed. Most manufacturers today develop innovative containers to minimise the loss of liquid. At the same time, users must also discern the moisture level of a wipe before using it on a surface. If someone had left the container open for hours before someone else had closed it, the user must make a judgement call if the wipes in that container are still effective. Tip: turn the container upside down occasionally so that the disinfectant solution is spread evenly throughout the wipes.
This is another mistake commonly committed by healthcare professionals. Table tops are clean therefore wipe it lightly, toilet seats are dirty therefore wipe it thoroughly. Approaching a surface with this mentality can result in poor execution. A presumably clean surface may have been touched by a patient infected by norovirus after a visit to the lavatory. As such, it requires the same level of zealousness in disinfection as a toilet seat. In other words, treat all surfaces as contaminated.
Most healthcare facilities have scheduled time for cleaning and disinfection activities. Although surfaces are cleaned and disinfected according to the frequency determined, one study suggests that cleaning at every 2-hour interval is necessary to maintain bacterial population at a safe level. This is obviously not possible, but it is certainly a point to think about. At the presence of a known pathogen or disease, healthcare professionals may consider increasing the frequency of surface disinfection.
Why is reading the label important when we've used disinfectant wipes a million times and it's just the same as any other wipe? Because although they may look the same, they are actually not. The label points out the differences and provides insight to many details that are key to proper surface disinfection. The effective spectrum for example, is vastly different from one brand to another. It is important to know exactly what you'e getting rid of when you're disinfecting a surface especially when you know it has been exposed to a specific pathogen.
Even if you noticed the contact or exposure time on the label, how often do you time your disinfection process? In other words, do you ensure the surface is moist for the duration of the contact time? No matter how admirably clean you wipe the surface, if it dries up before the stated contact time, microbes such as Salmonella, E. coli and MRSA could be lying in wait for the next unsuspecting hand.
Material compatibility determines if a disinfectant wipe damages or preserves the lifespan of a surface. Some substances are not compatible with certain materials such as alcohol and genuine leather. The risk of the matter is not contained merely to damaging expensive equipment such as leather dental chairs but if left unnoticed, can lead to ineffective disinfection in the future. How? Cracked and damaged surfaces can offer the perfect hiding spots for dangerous pathogens. Coupled with the challenge in disinfecting minute crevices, the combination can become lethal.

So there you have it, 13 mistakes to avoid when using disinfectant wipes. For high quality disinfectant wipes to suit your budget and needs, visit our Surface Disinfectants page.