CloroxPro Blog – Professional Cleaning and Disinfection Insights

In the fight against hospital-acquired infections (HAIs), particular attention must be paid to cleaning and disinfection of medical equipment and devices. The goals are two-fold: first, to prevent transmission of microorganisms to patients, staff and visitors, and second, to minimize damage to valuable equipment and devices from inappropriate handling. It’s a balancing act: on the one hand, to ensure that the chosen disinfectant deals effectively with typical pathogens, but on the other hand, to confirm its compatibility with medical equipment and device materials. 

Q. What are the primary protocols in your facility for cleaning and disinfecting medical equipment and devices?

A. “Our primary practice with all devices is to clean and disinfect between patient use, using the appropriate Clorox Healthcare wipe product.”

Q. What do you consider to be the most critical aspects of protecting medical equipment and devices?

A. “A few critical aspects that we have implemented is making sure we have the correct product for the correct device or equipment. By doing so, we are making sure that our medical equipment and devices will have material integrity and longevity. Examples are using the correct disinfectant such as VersaSure wipes for all of our electronic workstations on wheels here at HDGH. Whereas for high touch areas, we use the hydrogen peroxide disinfecting wipes. We have also established a system for easy access to these wipes such as proper holders to place the product outside of patient rooms, patient bathrooms and on the workstations on wheels.”

Q. What would you say are your main challenges with caring for medical equipment and devices?

A. “Some challenges could be noted as the overall wear and tear of equipment over years of use, along with residue build-up if the equipment is not wiped properly. Also, general time constraints between patients and making sure equipment and devices are thoroughly wiped and have the allotted time to dry and still disinfect.”

Q. Are there certain units in the hospital that present greater challenges for protecting medical equipment and devices?

A. “We have a long term ventilation unit here at HDGH.”

Q. Are there particular types of medical equipment and devices, or materials that they are made of, that present greater cleaning and disinfection challenges?

A. “One device that we have difficulty with is our medication and arm band scanners here at HDGH. When the portable scanner is wiped down, it is then placed in a charging holder. If the wipe is too saturated, the liquid flows down into the charging unit, causing residue buildup and possibly corrosion. This part of the scanner/charging holder needs to be wiped out frequently to fix charging concerns.”

Q. What is your approach to managing these greater cleaning and disinfection challenges?

A. “We rely on continued staff education, setting up standard cleaning of these medical devices and equipment on a routine basis, and then completing a thorough cleaning following patient discharge.”

Q. Please share your experience with using Clorox Healthcare™ VersaSure products.

A.  Usage: “Easy to go containers, easy to grab, perfect size for cleaning everyday items, perfect amount of product.”

Types of surfaces: “I love that VersaSure has a range of surfaces it can clean.”

Efficiency: “Quick drying time.”

Efficacy: “Low odour and less harsh chemicals for all the individuals that work and stay within the hospital setting.”

Safety: “I love the quick drying time, and that the right amount of product is contained in the wipe, which decreases the risk when removing from the container.”

Q. What properties of VersaSure ready-to-use wipes do you consider to be of particular benefit in cleaning and disinfecting medical equipment and devices?

A. “I appreciate that the product is not only strong enough to aid in preventing the spread of infection in a hospital setting, but it is also safe enough to be used on our electronic devices* which are handled daily by many staff members.” 

VersaSure=Versatility

Clorox Healthcare™ VersaSure Alcohol-Free Cleaner Disinfectant Wipes are formulated for optimal surface compatibility on a wide range of common hospital surfaces. VersaSure ready-to-use wipes do not leave corrosive residue, and can be used daily throughout your facility: on stainless steel, hard plastics, painted surfaces, laminated surfaces, fiberglass (sealed) surfaces, glazed porcelain and glass.

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

• Low odour, low residue and high efficacy in a 2-minute, alcohol-free quat wipe.
• Patented alcohol-free quat formula.
• 50 pathogens killed in 2 minutes or less – bacteria, viruses and fungi.*
• Very low residue on surfaces.
• No harsh chemical odour.
• Stays wet for contact time.

* When used as directed.

Learn more about protecting the medical equipment in your Cleandom with our surface compatibility resource guide.