CloroxPro Blog – Professional Cleaning and Disinfection Insights

In any healthcare facility, healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) can spread from person to person (patients, healthcare workers, facility staff and visitors) and from environment to person (patient care areas, work stations and public areas).

In Canada, HAIs affect one in nine hospital patients, resulting in over 220,000 infections and as many as 12,000 deaths annually. HAIs associated with so-called “superbugs” like methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus (VRE) and C. difficile, and with re-emerging viruses like measles, only add to the burden of more common viruses and bacteria like those associated with respiratory and GI infections.

Focused training for best practices Environmental cleaning and disinfection protocols and staff training play a critical role in breaking the “chain of infection”, and are a critical strategy for controlling and preventing the spread of HAIs. Training encompasses risk assessment and pathogen-specific precautions and preventive practices. Training focused on infection prevention is by definition not a “one and done” exercise. The pathogen mix in any facility is in a state of perpetual change, depending on many factors – the season, the health of people entering the facility, and the flux of emerging and resistant pathogens. Training must therefore be geared to accommodate readiness for change.

Infection prevention and control requires specialized, up-to-date and evidence-based  training, which is available across Canada – ranging from learning modules to professional certification.

Public Health Ontario, for example, offers resources and learning modules geared to frontline environmental service workers and management, as well as infection control professionals, working in all healthcare settings. PHO also provides training and resources for healthcare workers that includes critical practice elements like understanding the chain of transmission, risk assessment and routine practices like hand hygiene. For both audiences, preparation for outbreak management is a key focus. [PHO IPAC courses] Infection Prevention and Control Canada (IPAC) delivers a range of courses, developed and facilitated by IPAC Canada education experts. All faculty are Certified Infection Control professionals or professionals in specialized fields. Comprehensive content includes IPAC policies and procedures, microbiology, infectious diseases, and surveillance, identification and management of outbreaks.

Putting knowledge into practice: Choosing cleaning and disinfection products that fit the need

Risk of transmission can be minimized by the use of appropriate cleaning and disinfection protocols. Product choice is never “one-product-fits-all”: choice is ideally based on identified needs for efficacy along with safety and surface compatibility, and best supported by ease of consistent and efficient use.

• Look for a Health Canada Drug Identification Number (DIN) on the product label.
• Choose the product/products that have efficacy against the pathogens your facility is dealing with, including typical pathogens as well as atypical pathogens or those identified to be at the root of an outbreak.
• Surface compatibility: Assess the range of surfaces to be cleaned and disinfected and chose a product noted to be safe and non-damaging. Always refer to the manufacturer’s instructions before using any cleaning and disinfecting products.
• Contact time: healthcare facilities never sleep, so ideally, the shorter the desired contact time.
• Ease of use: A ready-to-use formulation that cleans and disinfects in one step is both effective and quick. Ready-to-use wipes bring each component – sanitizing/disinfecting agent, water, container and wipe – together in a controlled environment. This greatly reduces the risks of contamination or compromise to efficacy and safety. Further, time-related costs of use are lower than a multi-step process like dilution control system.

Routine and effective cleaning and disinfection of surfaces and equipment throughout your facility is an essential activity that protects patients, staff and visitors from infection. The ongoing and ever-evolving risks and consequences of infection transmission in healthcare facilities demand that your entire team is ready to do their part.

Look to CloroxPro™ to support your culture of clean!

Use as directed for optimal results.

Clorox Healthcare™ Bleach Germicidal Disinfectant Wipes (DIN: 02465671)

A bleach-based formula in an easy-to-use wipe format, with fast disinfection efficacy, favourable surface compatibility and residue profile. 

• Health Canada registered to kill 66 pathogens.
• Kills C. difficile in 3 minutes, E. coli and Salmonella in 30 seconds and Norovirus in 1 minute.
• Kills viruses in 1 minute and bacteria in 30 seconds.
• C. difficile sporicidal efficacy tested in the presence of 3-part organic soil load.
• Available in clinical canister and EVS bucket wipe size formats.

Clorox Healthcare™ Hydrogen Peroxide Cleaner Disinfectant Wipes (DIN: 2406225)

Active ingredient: hydrogen peroxide. No benzyl alcohol. Ideal for daily use in high-turnover areas.

• Contact time: 30 seconds to 4 minutes.
• C. auris contact time: 2 minutes.
• Kills TB and 15 other pathogens in 1 minute. 
• Kills 59 pathogens in 30 seconds to 4 minutes.
• 30 seconds to 1 minute contact times on most bacteria and viruses.
• Comes in a range of sizes and formats for use on hard surfaces, including clinical use, daily patient room cleaning, terminal cleaning and on-the-go disinfecting.

Clorox Healthcare™ VersaSure® Alcohol-Free Cleaner Disinfectant Wipes (DIN: 02473151)

Alcohol-free quat formula with broad-spectrum disinfection; contact times from 30 seconds to 2 minutes.

• Kills 50 pathogens in 30 seconds to 2 minutes.
• Kills E. coli, Norovirus and Salmonella in 2 minutes.
• Kills SARS-CoV-2, measles and mumps virus, HIV and Influenza A virus in 30 seconds.
• Non-abrasive, very low residue on surfaces.
• No harsh chemical odour.
• Stays wet for contact time.

Learn more about CloroxPro™ products to support best choices for your facility.

Interested in speaking to a representative about customized solutions and a free demo and training? Contact us today.