Why you need a multi-strength disinfectant
If you’re using a disinfectant that claims 1 strength can be used throughout, the solution can’t be both cost effective and efficacious.
Here’s why.
The problem
In a hospital there are many different areas, each with different risk factors. We now have Functional Risk categories to divide up these risks, but often use the same disinfectant, at the same strength, throughout. However, it has been determined that we don’t require the same level of cleaning controls throughout, so why use the same strength disinfectant?
Either your solution isn’t cost effective, for example:
Using a costly operating theatre level disinfectant (FR1) on floors, and in communal rooms and receptions (FR5-6)
Or your solution is potentially ineffective, for example:
Using a cheap but ineffective disinfectant to try to meet the standards required in high-level situations (FR 1-2).
| Functional risk category | Suggested functional areas |
|---|---|
| FR1 Audit target score: 98% Audit frequency: Weekly |
Intensive care units Operating theatres Chemotherapy/immunocompromised units A&E/resus/minor injuries/major trauma Delivery suites Augmented care Pharmacy aseptic |
| FR2 Audit target: 95% Audit frequency: Monthly |
Acute and community wards Dementia wards Treatment rooms where invasive procedures take place Endoscopy units Cardiology intervention suites Cardiac catheterisation units Sterile service units X-ray (interventional) Dialysis units |
| FR3 Audit target: 90% Audit frequency: Bi-monthly |
Mental health and learning disabilities wards Urgent care centres Dental outpatient departments Sexual health (GUM) clinics Mortuary Emergency patient transport vehicles (ambulance/air ambulance) |
| FR4 Audit target: 85% Audit frequency: Quarterly |
Treatment rooms where invasive procedures do not take place X-ray (non-invasive)/MRI/CT rooms 136 suite/seclusion/place of safety rooms Entrances, receptions, and public corridors Waiting areas Consulting/therapy rooms Departure/discharge lounges Rehabilitation units and day centres Pharmacies Pathology Laboratories General outpatient departments/clinics Physio outpatient departments Fracture clinics Occupational therapy Pre-op assessment units Linen and laundry departments Occupational health |
| FR5 Audit target: 80% Audit frequency: 6-monthly |
Electrical and biomedical engineering/medical physics Chapel/prayer area Family/visiting rooms where not directly associated with a ward/department on this list Main receptions Non-emergency patient transport vehicles |
| FR6 Audit target: 75% Audit frequency: Annually |
Administration/offices Medical records Education/postgrad and training centres Stores department, with exception of catering which is covered by the catering teams |
The solution
To solve this problem of over-spending and underperforming, we need to collectively agree that we will no longer use single-strength or ready to use disinfectants to do the job. Instead, a disinfectant should have, as standard, 2 or 3 preparation strengths that can be used to get an appropriate disinfectant for each Functional Risk category.
Products available
The products available are limited to tablet disinfectants as they provide an easy dosing system of a number of tablets per bottle or per litre. Peracide is an excellent tablet disinfectant with a range of EN testing, from 250ppm to 4000ppm, with 1000ppm being the standard use strength. As the manufacturer and distributor of Peracide, we want to work with your trust and understand your functional risk categories to be able to recommend different strengths of solution. This will ensure you’re getting a cost-effective solution every time.