Sunday 23 March 2014

What do we mean by ‘cleaning’ and ‘disinfection’?

Dr Sally Bloomfield has written an informative, introductory article about cleaning and disinfection. Here is an extract:

"Some people work on the basis that “clean” means visibly clean, and “microbiologically safe clean” means a chemical or thermal disinfectant has been used.  But then how can we communicate that hand washing can make hand surfaces microbiologically safe” without need for a disinfectant.  There is a notion that “cleaning” is hygienically inferior to disinfection – but data now shows that the log reduction by handwashing with soap can be equivalent to that achieved by alcohol handrubs if done properly, and you have access to running water.  We put much effort into hand hygiene compliance, but relatively little into stressing that handwashing technique to deliver hands which are “fit for purpose” is equally important."

To read the full article, go to Micro Blog.

Posted by Tim Sandle

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