Issue link: https://beckershealthcare.uberflip.com/i/821337
69 Executive Briefing Sponsored by: Challenged by Surface Compatibility? Don't Compromise: Disinfectant Innovations Eliminate the Need for Tradeoffs By Danielle Augustin-Glenn, PhD, Research Scientist, Clorox Healthcare I n healthcare facilities, nearly any surface in the environ- ment is susceptible to contamination with healthcare-asso- ciated infections (HAIs). Despite proactive infection control measures, many of these pathogens can still survive on surfac- es long enough to be transmitted to patients and healthcare workers. 1 The challenge the healthcare community faces is the spread of these pathogens through various means – from mat- tresses and bed rails to furniture and medical equipment. Ac- cording to a report by Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, $33 billion in annual healthcare cost is attributed to preventable HAIs, 20 percent of which are associated with contamination related to medical devices. 2 Understanding how and why these device and equipment-associated trans- missions occur and identifying appropriate solutions is a top priority for the healthcare community today. 3 Proper cleaning and disinfection, with the appropriate dis- infectants, is a vital component of infection prevention pro- grams. In addition to legacy dilutable disinfectants that leverage quaternary ammonium compounds, technological advances in disinfectant chemistry have enabled the devel- opment of pre-mixed, ready-to-use, shelf-stable solutions that harness the power of fast-acting oxidative chemistries like bleach and hydrogen peroxide. Over time, these products have evolved to better suit the needs of a changing healthcare environment and balance two key priorities for environmental hygiene: efficacy and compatibility. Most immediate of the two priorities is efficacy. Improvements in hospital cleaning and disinfection have been associated with reductions in healthcare-associated infection rates and the risk of acquiring multidrug-resistant organisms in hospital rooms that previously housed colonized or infected patients. 4 While the disinfection of healthcare surfaces and equipment is essential for reducing the risk of HAIs, appropriate consid- eration and care must be taken to protect them from dam- age. According to a ECRI Institute report on health technology hazards, "use of cleaning agents or cleaning practices that are incompatible with the materials used in a medical device's construction, or that are otherwise inappropriate for the de- vice's design, can cause the device to malfunction or to fail prematurely, possibly affecting patient care." 5 The proper care of healthcare surfaces also has important implications for cost, patient satisfaction and public perception. In a space where options are plentiful, but not always created equal, and diverse stakeholders often have competing prior- ities for product selection and use, healthcare facilities need solutions that meet high standards for efficacy and aesthetics, so they can fight healthcare-associated pathogens without damaging surfaces and limit unsightly residue left behind. The Two-Part Compatibility Challenge Surface compatibility has become something of a buzzword for manufacturers. Generally speaking, the term is used to ref- erence the degree to which disinfectants are suitable for use on specific surfaces and equipment. But what makes a prod- uct suitable for use? When reviewing surface compatibility in- formation, there are two important considerations: aesthetic issues, like residue, and corrosion. There is no silver bullet. All disinfectants can cause compatibility issues if used improp- erly, but understanding potential challenges and selecting products designed to minimize them can help facilities pro- tect against pathogens and surface damage. In today's shifting healthcare landscape, the role of patient ex- perience has gained new prominence. Patients have the pow- er to not only impact public perception of healthcare facilities via social media and rankings, but also to influence reimburse- ment levels by participating in surveys submitted through "In today's shifting healthcare landscape, the role of patient experience has gained new prominence. " — Danielle Augustin-Glenn, PhD, Research Scientist, Clorox Healthcare