Why Disinfecting Shared Equipment is a Must!
It’s well known that disinfecting high touch point areas like doorknobs and light switches is critical for preventing the spread of infection in shared spaces. But a recent study has shown that the cleanliness of shared equipment – whether in long-term care, hospitals, offices, schools or industrial facilities – may be equally important in protecting the health of facility occupants.
The Study
A group of researchers in Australia placed fluorescent marker gel dots on shared equipment across a hospital. When dried, the substance resists dry abrasion and can only be removed through proper disinfection methods. During a control trial, only 25% of the dots were removed from shared equipment, suggesting the hospital’s standard disinfection protocols were either carried out poorly – or not at all.
The researchers then introduced an intervention. A dedicated cleaning team was tasked with extra cleaning of shared equipment such as drip stands, walking aids and commodes, and the hospital staff usually responsible for cleaning were educated on proper disinfection techniques.
The Outcome
This intervention resulted in 65% of the gel dots being removed from shared equipment as opposed to just 25% prior to intervention. The hospital also saw approximately 100 fewer infections. These findings provide clear evidence that an increased focus on cleaning shared equipment and disinfection training is not only effective, but can save lives – and the evidence isn’t just applicable to hospitals!
Shared spaces are full of shared equipment that can harbour bacteria and other pathogens. Kettles in break rooms, walking aids in long-term care or the keypad on an office printer are all surfaces that may not be a part of standard cleaning protocols. An increased focus on shared equipment, can maximize cleaning effectiveness and limit the spread of infection throughout shared spaces.
Turning Info Into Action
With increasing concern about COVID-19 surges and the recent uptick in confirmed cases of the monkeypox virus, now is the time to ensure disinfection protocols are up to date with best practice standards.
Frequency: Clean shared equipment at least once a day, more if equipment is in high-traffic areas. Digital cleaning management software is a powerful tool to monitor and manage key cleaning task completion in line with protocols.
Not using digital cleaning management? Reach out to your Bunzl Cleaning & Hygiene expert to learn about CleanWatchTM – your digital cleaning companion that offers simple scheduling and in-depth analytics to help you solve problems before they start!
Training: Frequency of cleaning is important, but so is cleaning quality! Ensure staff are trained on proper disinfection techniques and that they understand the importance of their role in facility occupant health and safety.
Proper Products: Use disinfectants that are effective against a broad range of pathogens. For acute care or large facilities, consider electrostatic applicators that increase disinfection effectiveness and speed while reducing product usage by up to 65% when compared to standard trigger sprayers.
By integrating shared equipment disinfection into cleaning protocols, cleaning teams can reduce the risk of infections and promote overall facility occupant well-being.
Reach out to your Bunzl Cleaning & Hygiene expert to learn more about the latest in innovative disinfection products and protocols.
