Forward Focus on Clinic Disinfection
A new RACE-approved course for veterinary clinics focuses on the keys to disinfection.
We all drive home from work and never really remember how we got from point A to B. How many of our veterinary customers also go on auto-pilot when they disinfect? Now is a critical time to refresh everyone’s skills and put a disinfection plan into place for the long term.
Patterson Veterinary recently released a complimentary course as a resource in the Patterson Veterinary University Virtual Campus. The RACE-approved course is called “Disinfection: Keys to Success.” You do not need to be a Patterson customer to take advantage of this free resource. It looks at disinfection terminology, common disinfection mistakes, instructions on how to appropriately clean and disinfect, administration of a program, and breaks disinfection down and makes it relevant for every role in the clinic. This course was created in collaboration with Virox® Animal Health.
Creating a disinfection plan
An effective disinfection plan is much more than purchasing a product and putting it into use. A successful disinfection program needs to be strategically designed and implemented. These programs include identifying the roles and responsibilities of everyone on the team, identifying risk, choosing the right product or products for the clinic, training the team how to use the products, putting quality control measures into place, and instituting safety communication plans. All of these elements will work together to ensure that the clinic has everyone working towards the same goal.
To create a robust infection control program, clinics will need champions internally. One option would be to form a working group to determine the frequency and how tasks will be divided. Standardizing and organizing repeated tasks will ensure that essential steps are not being overlooked. It is also critical to facilitate workload and remove the overlap of team efforts. Roles can be assigned based on the location where each team member spends most of their time in the clinic. The front desk staff, as an example, could be assigned to the lobby and exam rooms. Proper cleaning and disinfection require a multi-step process and potentially multiple products to make the most of any protocol. Varying biosecurity levels and the suspected microorganism will also add to the complexity of the protocol.
Before defining the workload, the clinic staff first needs to identify varying levels of risk. Different areas of an animal care facility will be associated with varying degrees of risk for transmitting pathogens. For instance, exam rooms and treatment areas pose a much higher risk of transmission than office areas, staff break rooms, or any other spaces where client animals would not typically enter. Signage could be used to designate these areas of risk. This system can also help prevent the movement of animals, people, and equipment from high-risk areas into lower-risk areas.
Also, a team member should be responsible for ensuring that changes in risk status are communicated to each member of the infection prevention team. The next module, called “Veterinary Practice Infection Control,” will build on this first module and address hospital traffic flow more in-depth for a contagious animal to stop the spread of disease before disinfection would be needed.
In the light of COVID-19 and the highly contagious nature of the virus, common facility areas should move up a level from where they were before the pandemic. These procedures should also be considered again during identified viral seasons.
Disinfection training
All team members should have a solid understanding of the product, including how to prepare and apply the solution properly. This training may also include specific storage requirements for the chosen product.
The solution to pollution is dilution unless we are talking about disinfection. Under-diluting, products can cause a waste of product and yield ineffective disinfection. Refocusing efforts on proper and clearly defined dilution protocols should always be used, and the product label followed. In addition to appropriate dilution, the contact time should also be followed based on the manufacturer’s recommendations. It is crucial to check the expiry dates on all products. Write the date the product was diluted, as the diluted product’s shelf-life will be less than the concentrated product. Topping off dilution bottles should never be done as the efficacy and expiration date of that product is questionable.
This course provides role-based templates to implement disinfection protocols. The disinfectant manufacturer or sales representative will be an additional resource to get the support the clinic needs in implementing a new disinfectant product or protocol. This support may include training materials, virtual, or on-site visits to troubleshoot any issues that may develop.
Cleaning and disinfection in the face of COVID-19
The only disinfectants approved by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to kill SARS-CoV-2 are those that carry the Emerging Viral Pathogen Claim and can be found here: epa.gov/pesticide-registration/list-n-disinfectants-use-against-sars-cov-2.
Appropriate cleaning and disinfection processes will decrease the opportunity of exposure. Increase cleaning and disinfection of shared high-touch surfaces including but not limited to:
- Computers and tablets
- Keyboards, mice, etc.
- Phones
- Lab equipment such as microscopes and blood analyzers
- Writing utensils
- Doors and doorknobs
- Light switches
- Stethoscopes and otoscope handles
Increased cleaning and disinfection regimens are necessary for high traffic areas. Having a simple, visual quick start/disinfection station guides readily available can help ensure that the product is used correctly.
Staff and client communication plans
In terms of communicating with staff, the Patterson University module recommends clinics:
- Always begin with the priority of keeping human health and safety at the forefront of each communication
- Communicate compliance with state and federal orders, including public health guidelines
- Include details regarding cleaning and disinfection protocols
- Conclude with the commitment to the core values; being transparent with a positive outlook will be appreciated by the team and those who partner with you.
Transparent and clear client communication also needs to be a focus. Creating client education content regarding cleaning and disinfection measures in your veterinary customer’s practice to protect pet owners’ health and safety and their pets should always be a priority. During these times of concern, client safety communications should occur ideally before a scheduled appointment and during the visit. In addition, online communications should be used to keep clients and the community updated regarding the practice’s ongoing safety efforts.
Communication with the team that their workplace is safe and fostering clear guidelines is key to appropriate clinic hygiene. Clear and repeated communication, as well as, clear role identification, and training on the disinfection plan will help to alleviate uncertainty, improve a sense of well-being, foster a sense of team building, and improve process flow. Getting buy-in from the team on everything from the process to the products used is the single most important measure in supporting compliance with any good routine infection prevention practice.
The Patterson course’s critical points on creating a successful cleaning and disinfection program are:
- Defining roles and responsibilities
- Using a checklist for roles and responsibilities
- Identification of risk
- Accounting for modes of transmission
- Choosing the right disinfectant
- Training
- Creating and stocking Disinfection Stations
- Having Disinfection Station Guides/Quick Start Guides available for all products used
- Instituting a quality control program
- Having safety communication plans that convey health and safety is your top priority for anyone or any animal coming through the clinic.
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