Management of Environmental Safety and Cleaning in Hospitals

●  Cleaning products (also known as cleaning agents): Liquids, powders, sprays, or granules that remove organic material (e.g., dirt, body fluids) from surfaces and suspend grease or oil. Can include liquid soap, enzymatic cleaners, and detergents.

● Cleaning solution: A combination of water and cleaning product (e.g., detergent) in a ratio specified by the manufacturer.

●  Contact time: The time that a disinfectant must be in contact with a surface or device to ensure that appropriate disinfection has occurred. For most disinfectants, the surface should remain wet for the required contact time.

● Detergent: A synthetic cleansing agent that can emulsify and suspend oil. Contains surfactant or a mixture of surfactants with cleaning properties in dilute solutions to lower surface tension and aid in the removal of organic soil and oils, fats, and greases.

●   Disinfectant fogging: Misting or fogging a liquid chemical disinfectant to disinfect environmental surfaces in an enclosed space.

● High-touch surfaces: Surfaces, often in patient care areas, that are frequently touched by healthcare workers and patients (e.g. overbed table, IV pole, doorknobs, medication carts).

● Noncritical patient care equipment: Equipment, such as stethoscopes, blood pressure cuffs, and bedpans, that comes into contact with intact skin.

● Safety data sheet (SDS): A document by the supplier or manufacturer of a chemical product that contains information on the product's potential hazards (health, fire, reactivity, and environmental) and how to work safely with it. It also contains information on the use, storage, handling, and emergency procedures.