Part 2: Selecting The Ideal Disinfectants - PREempt™ Online Learning Module

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PART 2: SELECTING
THE IDEAL DISINFECTANTS
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Choosing the Ideal Disinfectant
With thousands of chemical products on the market in Canada, choosing the right disinfectant requires more than just identifying what it kills.
Examples include Sodium Hypochlorite (Bleach), Alcohol, Quaternary ammonium compounds (Quats), Phenolics, Accelerated Hydrogen Peroxide and others.
Professional Versus Household Disinfectants
While consumer and professional disinfectants are both approved by Health Canada as effective disinfectants, personal service settings have a higher risk of transmitting infectious diseases and coming in contact with a wider range of germs.
Choosing to use a hospital-grade disinfectant that has a wider range of efficacy against bacteria, viruses and fungi is needed to meet infection control guidelines.
Province Guidelines
Infection Prevention Guidelines will help you determine:
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How diseases are transmitted
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Frequency of cleaning and disinfection required
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Outline tools that must be single use only
The Level of Disinfection
Low Level Disinfectants appropriate for personal services should have the following claims:
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Hospital Disinfectant claim which means the disinfectant is capable of destroying both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria such as Staphylococcus and Pseudomonas
Bloodborne Pathogen language
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Virucidal efficacy against both enveloped and non-enveloped viruses such as Influenza and Norovirus
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Fungicidal claims
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Did You Know
Choosing a disinfectant that carries a Health Canada approved Broad-Spectrum Virucidal claim means that the product has been tested against at least one of the four most difficult to kill viruses. In the event of the next pandemic or arrival of a new virus, disinfectants with the Broad-Spectrum Virucidal claim are automatically approved by Health Canada for use against the newly identified virus.
The Level of Disinfection
Intermediate Level Disinfectants mean that the disinfectant has been approved by Health Canada and carries a Tuberculocidal claim against Mycobacteria.
When choosing an Intermediate Level Disinfectant, you still want it to carry the recommended claims for a Low Level Disinfectant.
The Level of Disinfection
High-level Disinfectant require different testing from Low or Intermediate Level disinfectants as disinfection of medical devices or tools used in personal services have a higher risk of transmitting infections. The following are the claims you will find on a High-Level Disinfectant Label:
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Fungicidal efficacy
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Tuberculocidal efficacy
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Sporicidal efficacy (the contact time will be longer)
Reuse claim (allows for the product to be reused over a specifically determined number of days)
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Did You Know
High level disinfectants may not have claims listed on their label against some bacteria or viruses, such as bloodborne pathogens. This is because they have undergone testing against significantly harder-to-kill organisms, which ensures that they will easily inactivate easy-to-kill organisms such as MRSA, HIV, Hepatitis B or C when the label instructions are followed.
The Level of Disinfection
Sterilization can be achieved by using mechanical methods such as autoclaves or by immersing in a liquid chemical disinfectant or chemosterilant. If using a chemosterilant, follow the instructions on the label to achieve the Sporicidal efficacy contact time which can be anywhere from 20 minutes to 12 hours.
Did you know
Different provincial guidelines will determine if a liquid chemical sterilant is appropriate for your personal services device. Be sure to review your guideline in order to be inspection ready!
Carry Drug Identification Number or a Medical Device Licence Number
Disinfectants approved as low level and intermediate level disinfectants must carry either a Drug Identification Number (also referred to as a DIN) which is a 8-digit number generally found on the front panel of the product label.
High Level Disinfectants are provided a Medical Device Licence Number (or MDL). This number is not required by Health Canada to be on the product label. To confirm that a High Level product is approved by Health Canada, they have created a searchable database called the Medical Devices Active License Listing or MDALL.
The Ideal Disinfectant
Is easy to use
Kills germs fast
Has minimal impact on user health and safety
Is sustainable posing low or no risk to the planet
Speed
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Contact time is the length of time a surface must stay wet in order to achieve disinfection.
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If the surface does not stay wet for the contact time or you remove your tools from their soaking solution before the contact time has been achieved you may be putting your clients at risk of getting an infection.
Cleaning and Disinfecting Are NOT the Same
As you learned in Module 1, cleaning and disinfecting are not the same thing! However, some disinfectants have detergency properties, meaning that they can be used for both your cleaning and disinfection steps.
Disinfectants that lack detergency properties may only work properly on surfaces that have been pre-cleaned with a separate detergent.

“One-step cleaner-disinfectants” can simplify and streamline your protocols.
Don't Lose the Disinfectant's Potency
Ensure tools and implements are properly cleaned and dried.
Remove of dirt and debris.
If the tools are wet, over time the disinfectant solution will be come diluted and loose its potency.
Refer to the product label
and Safety Data Sheet (SDS) to confirm if:
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The product causes eye, skin or respiratory irritation.
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The product is non-toxic and does not impact fertility.
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The product requires the use of PPE such as gloves or goggles when handling.
Choose a product that is non-toxic and non-irritating to eyes and skin and does not lead to occupational asthma.
Enviromental Impact
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Some disinfectants require special disposal and cannot simply be poured down the drain.
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The ideal disinfectant should be biodegradable and not adversely impact the environment.
Sosme Disinfectants May Cause Corrosion
Many disinfectant technologies use harsh chemicals which can damage surfaces and tools. To protect your investments chose a product that has been proven to be gentle on surfaces and tools not only used in personal service settings, but also on sensitive equipment used in healthcare facilities.
Ok, now we’re going to ask you 5 questions to see how well you remembered what your just learned. Your score will not be saved and you don’t need any minimum to pass—however, only the right answer unlocks the “next" button. At the conclusion of the quiz, you can proceed to the next module.
START
Each province has guidelines on required infection control practices for personal service settings that you must follow.
True
False
A.
B.
Correct!
Try again.
NEXT >
To achieve disinfection, the product must remain wet on the surface for the entire contact time.
True
False
A.
B.
Correct!
Try again.
NEXT >
Semi-Critical items are instruments that:
Come into contact with sterile tissue or penetrates the skin
Come in contact with mucous membranes and non-intact skin
Come in contact with intact skin
A.
B.
C.
Yes, but there’s more…
Correct!
Yes, but there’s more…
NEXT >
D.
Come in contact with surfaces, but not with the client directly
Yes, but there’s more…
What characteristics are important when selecting a disinfectant?
Cleaning Properties
Safety Data Sheet (SDS)
Safety Profile
A.
B.
C.
Yes, but there’s more…
Yes, but there’s more…
Yes, but there’s more…
Correct!
NEXT >
D.
All of the Above
What document tells you the safety profile of chemicals such as disinfectants?
Hazardous Materials Data Sheet
Safety Data Sheet
Disinfectant Data Sheet
A.
B.
C.
Try again.
Correct!
Try again.
Try again.
NEXT >
D.
Toxicity Document

SALON & SPA DISINFECTANTS
PART 2: SELECTING THE IDEAL DISINFECTANTS

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