(DIS-in-fek-tunt) Any substance or process that is used primarily on non-living objects to kill germs, such as viruses, bacteria, and other microorganisms that can cause infection and disease. Most disinfectants are harsh chemicals but sometimes heat or radiation may be used.
Medical Definition
disinfectant. 1 of 2 noun. dis·in·fec·tant -ˈfek-tənt. : an agent (as a chemical or ultraviolet light) that destroys, inactivates, or significantly reduces the concentration of pathogens (as bacteria, viruses, and fungi) especially on hard surfaces and in water (as drinking water or wastewater)
Disinfection describes a process that eliminates many or all pathogenic microorganisms, except bacterial spores, on inanimate objects (Tables 1 and 2). In health-care settings, objects usually are disinfected by liquid chemicals or wet pasteurization.
A chemical that prevents the growth of microorganisms or kills them. These are applied to the floor, drainage system, and instruments. In comparison with antiseptic, the chemical concentration is greater. For example, 2 ° ° phenol act as an antiseptic and 1 ° ° phenol act as a disinfectant.
A disinfectant is a chemical substance or compound used to inactivate or destroy microorganisms on inert surfaces.
Steam under pressure, dry heat, ethylene oxide (ETO) gas, hydrogen peroxide gas plasma, vaporized hydrogen peroxide, and liquid chemicals are the principal sterilizing agents used in health care facilities.
Disinfecting uses chemicals (disinfectants) to kill germs on surfaces and objects. Some common disinfectants are bleach and alcohol solutions. You usually need to leave the disinfectant on the surfaces and objects for a certain period of time to kill the germs.
Some examples of solutions are salt water, rubbing alcohol, and sugar dissolved in water. When you look closely, upon mixing salt with water, you can't see the salt particles anymore, making this a homogeneous mixture. Let's make use of our salt water example to talk about the two main parts of a solution.
The three main types of antiseptics are iodine or iodophor, alcohol, and chlorhexidine gluconate. Iodine and chlorhexidine disinfectants are sometimes mixed with alcohol or aqueous base, which may influence their clinical effectiveness.
In subject area: Nursing and Health Professions. Disinfection is the process of removing micro-organisms, including potentially pathogenic ones, from the surfaces of inanimate objects. From: Progress in Medicinal Chemistry, 1998.
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.
Clean surfaces before you sanitize them. Disinfecting kills most germs on surfaces and objects. Disinfecting is done with stronger bleach solutions or chemicals. Clean surfaces before you disinfect them.
Disinfectants are chemical agents applied to non-living objects in order to destroy bacteria, viruses, fungi, mold or mildews living on the objects. By definition, surface disinfectant formulas must be registered with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
Chemical disinfection is a key element in the reprocessing of reusable medical devices and the decontamination of environmental surfaces. Learn of the safety, regulatory guidelines and recommendations associated with chemical disinfection.
Disinfectant – Hospital Grade is a blue liquid with a pleasant eucalyptus fragrance, which deodorises, cleans and disinfects in one action. It contains 50g/L concentrated quaternary ammonium compound that kills most of common bacteria at the dilution prescribed below.
What is an example of a disinfectant? Chlorine, calcium and sodium hypochlorite, iodophor, phenol, ethanol, and quaternary ammonium compounds are some of the most often used chemical disinfectants. Disinfectants differ from sterilants in that they have a lower efficacy against dormant bacterial endospores.
Among the most commonly used disinfectants in intensive care units are aldehyde-based, alcohol-based, per acetic acid based, or lower generation of QAC based. Such products are not applicable on all surfaces, which is why they cannot decontaminate the whole environment.
Stringent disinfection reduces the risk of healthcare-associated infections (HAIs). Currently, there are five main EPA-registered chemicals that hospitals use for disinfectants: Quaternary Ammonium, Hypochlorite, Accelerated Hydrogen Peroxide, Phenolics, and Peracetic Acid.
Disinfectants that work include: Bleach solution (4 teaspoons of bleach in a quart of water) Rubbing (isopropyl) alcohol or wipes with 70% alcohol or higher (vodka and other liquors lack enough concentration) Alcohol-based hand sanitizers with at least 60% alcohol.
Does heat kill germs? According to World Health Organization, temperatures of at least 140 degrees Fahrenheit (60 degrees Celsius) are enough to kill most viruses. Boiling water can kill off the bacteria on food and running your dishwasher is enough to sterilize your dishes from germs.
After cleaning, use formulations containing glutaraldehyde, glutaraldehyde with phenol/phenate, ortho-phthalaldehyde, hydrogen peroxide, and both hydrogen peroxide and peracetic acid to achieve high-level disinfection followed by rinsing and drying (see Table 1 for recommended concentrations).