Find out what the two methods of disinfection are and why, to protect staff and the public, you need to know the difference between disinfecting and sanitising.
You need to understand the basic principles of disinfection if your business deals with the general public. In fact, although the Health and Social Care Act 2008 defines a code of practice for healthcare settings, it can be seen as the standard for hygiene across all sectors.
Therefore, as an employer, you need to be able to answer these three questions:
- What is disinfection?
- What are the two methods of disinfection?
- What is the right disinfectant to use?
This article answers those three questions and more.
What Is Disinfection?
Disinfection is the process of using thermal or chemical solutions to reduce the concentration of microorganisms on surfaces. Disinfection and sterilisation are typically uttered in the same breath, but their aims are slightly different.
Disinfection and sterilisation are both designed to prevent the transmission of harmful pathogens. A disinfectant reduces the number of microorganisms on surfaces to what’s considered a safe level. Sterilisation is the act of removing microorganisms to the point that they’re undetectable.
You must make this distinction in discussing what disinfection is because inadequate or low-quality cleaning products can lead to resistance. Research by A.J. van Asselt et al, noted in the Handbook of Hygiene Control in the Food Industry, shows that poor cleaning regimes can cause microorganisms to evolve.
“Application of the right type of agent is important to achieve the desired chemical effect,” they note.
Essentially, unsuitable chemical cleaning products can cause microorganisms to adapt and become resistant. Therefore, the right cleaning products are essential to reduce the risk of resistance.
What Are the Two Methods of Disinfection?
The two methods of disinfection are thermal and chemical. Knowing which method to use requires an understanding of disinfection as a general concept and, in turn, the situations you might encounter in public settings.
So, before we explain what the two methods of disinfection are, here are the scenarios where using a disinfectant is suitable:
- Thermal disinfection is suitable for heat-resistant materials, such as cloths, linen, crockery and bedpans.
- Chemical disinfection is suitable for non-living, non-heat-resistant objects and materials, such as surfaces and medical instruments.
In essence, the difference between the two types of disinfection is that one involves moist heat (thermal) and the other uses toxic chemicals to break down microorganisms.
Thermal Disinfection
Thermal disinfection is the process of using moist heat to reduce the number of harmful microorganisms on heat-resistant materials. The materials being disinfected with this method should be heat-resistant because above-average temperatures must be used.
Extreme levels of heat kill the live proteins in bacteria and render them inert. Therefore, the materials must be able to survive in conditions where harmful microorganisms can’t. The general temperatures required for thermal disinfection for laundry in health and care home settings are defined by HSE as:
- Exposure to a temperature of 93°C or greater for at least one minute
- Exposure to a temperature of 71°C or greater for at least three minutes
- Exposure to a temperature of 65°C or greater for at least 10 minutes
Chemical Disinfection
This method of disinfection is the process of applying chemical agents to inanimate objects to reduce the number of microorganisms. Chemical disinfection isn’t a substitute for cleaning. As noted by the CDC, a chemical disinfectant “does not necessarily clean dirty surfaces or remove germs, but by killing germs that remain on a surface after cleaning, disinfecting can further lower the risk of spreading infection.”
Therefore, you need to pair a professional-grade chemical disinfectant with the right cleaning products. Alternatively, you can use cleaning products that also contain chemical disinfection agents, such as Oxivir Excel Cleaner and Disinfectant from Diversey. This product is available in various concentrations as a cleaning solution, spray and wipes.
It’s based on a proprietary hydrogen peroxide (AHP®) technology, which means it cleans and disinfects surfaces in as little as 30 seconds. This makes it the ideal first line of defence against bacteria and viruses for example, MRSA, E.coli, coronaviruses and norovirus.
As well as intervention after the fact, chemical disinfectants can be used for prevention. Degragerm 24 Shield Cleaner and Disinfectant is effective within 5 minutes and will continue to provide residual disinfection against bacteria and viruses for a further 24 hours.
Finally, this method of disinfection comes with a duty of care. As an employer, you should also note that a chemical disinfectant is toxic. Therefore, you must ensure that all workplace practices and, therefore, staff, comply with the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) Regulations 2002.
General Principles of Disinfection
By now you should know what disinfection is and what the two methods of disinfection are. You should also know how to choose the right disinfection method. As a final summary of how to disinfect materials in the workplace, here are the general principles you need to remember:
- Disinfection isn’t cleaning, it’s a post-cleaning strategy used to kill bacteria, unless the disinfectant being used also contains cleaning agents.
- Always clean surfaces thoroughly before using a disinfectant.
- Disinfection can’t be used as a substitute for sterilisation.
- As an employer and/or industry professional, you must ensure that all workplace practices and chemical disinfectants used comply with COSHH regulations.
- Only use thermal or chemical disinfection on appropriate materials and surfaces.
- Gloves must be worn at all times when disinfecting surfaces and materials.
- Always check the expiry date of a disinfectant. Out-of-date chemical disinfectants may not work as intended and could cause the risk of creating resistant microorganisms.
- Ensure the area is well-ventilated at all times.
- Ensure chemical disinfectants are diluted correctly for the surface/material they’re being used on.
- Always follow the product guidelines, never mix solutions haphazardly and never top up a solution (e.g. with extra water).
- Always leave a disinfectant to work for the instructed amount of time.
- Ensure chemical disinfectants are stored and labelled correctly. Always discard used solutions after use.
If you follow these general principles of disinfection and use the right products, such as Oxivir Excel, you can significantly reduce the risk of infection in the workplace. Although disinfection doesn’t completely remove all bacteria, a proper cleaning regimen will help create the safest, most hygienic conditions possible for your staff, the public and your business.