Cleaning instruments with alcohol is a form of disinfecting.
In every aspect of life, good cleaning habits are important. In a medical setting, however, there are mandatory medical cleaning techniques that must be utilized depending on what needs to be cleaned, and the specific set of circumstances. These techniques must be performed routinely and properly to ensure the safety of patients, employees and the public.
General Cleaning
General cleaning refers to the basics of washing surfaces with soap and water. It also involves dusting, vacuuming and emptying trash containers. No special chemicals are necessary for general cleaning, although using gloves to protect the hands is wise. The hands should also be washed thoroughly once the gloves are removed.
Sanitizing
Sanitizing is the removal of bodily fluid spills by washing or scrubbing. This might be necessary for clothing or bedding that is soiled with blood. Sometimes medical instruments need to be sanitized. This can be achieved by soaking the instruments for about 20 minutes in warm water mixed with an appropriate detergent solution. Gloves should also be worn during any sanitizing process.
Disinfecting
Mopping with bleach and water is an effective disinfectant, but the solution should be remade every 24 hours.
Disinfecting is a step beyond sanitizing. The idea is to destroy as many germs and bacteria as possible using an aseptic solution like alcohol, bleach or a topical antiseptic. Usually, disinfecting refers to medical instruments and materials but not people; however, skin can be disinfected with an antiseptic prior to medical procedures to reduce the chance of infection. Another example of disinfecting is floor mopping with a bleach and water solution. The CDC recommends 1/4-cup of bleach mixed with 1 gallon of water.
Sterilizing
Sterilizing is the process of killing all living organisms. In a medical practice, this is most easily accomplished with the use of an autoclave. The autoclave is a machine that heats instruments to at least 250 degrees Fahrenheit, a temperature at which living things cannot survive. Some instruments, like speculums in a gynecologist's office, must be sanitized or disinfected prior to sterilization. The length of time necessary for autoclaving to be successful depends on the type and quantity of instruments.
Personal Protective Equipment
Personal protective equipment (PPE) refers to items like gloves, goggles and gowns worn by the workers in a medical setting. PPEs are necessary during almost every medical cleaning technique to guard against the transmission of infection that can occur from accidental spills and splashes of bodily fluids.
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