surface disinfection

Evaluating Disinfectant Contact Time: A Critical but Overlooked Variable

Gaétan Lanthier

More Than Just Spraying and Wiping

In hospital settings, effective disinfection is non-negotiable. Yet one critical factor is frequently neglected: the contact time of disinfectants. This refers to the length of time a disinfectant must remain wet on a surface to effectively kill pathogens. When this requirement isn’t met, even the most potent products can fail, leaving harmful microbes behind and increasing the risk of healthcare-associated infections (HAIs).

Understanding the Science of Contact Time

Disinfectants are tested under specific laboratory conditions. Their effectiveness is measured based on strict adherence to the recommended contact time. If a product label says “5 minutes,” that surface must stay wet for a full 5 minutes. In real-world environments, especially high-traffic zones like emergency departments or patient bathrooms, surfaces often dry out too quickly—sometimes within one minute—rendering the product less effective.

Operational Implications in Healthcare Settings

Ensuring compliance with contact times can be challenging but is essential. Staff must be trained to understand product labels, use enough solution to saturate surfaces, and avoid premature wiping. Switching to ready-to-use disinfectants with shorter contact times or residual action can also improve outcomes without slowing operations. Additionally, using tools such as microfiber cloths and monitoring systems (e.g., UV markers or ATP meters) can verify thorough coverage and efficacy.

A Matter of Precision and Protection

Disinfectant contact time is not a trivial detail—it’s a fundamental component of infection prevention. Hospital managers and environmental services teams must prioritize it in training, protocol development, and product selection. In doing so, we reduce infection risks and enhance patient safety.

Find Everything You Need from Quebec’s Leading Sanitation Product Catalogue

Featured Product: Discover the Ali-Flex RTU Disinfectant Cleaner, a ready-to-use solution that eliminates C. difficile spores in 5 minutes. Ideal for healthcare environments

High-Touch Surfaces: Targeting the Hotspots for Hospital-Acquired Infections

Gaétan Lanthier

Touchpoints of Risk: Where Germs Linger Most

In hospital environments, surfaces touched frequently—called high-touch surfaces—are critical hotspots for the transmission of hospital-acquired infections (HAIs). Door handles, bed rails, light switches, call buttons, and medical equipment surfaces can act as reservoirs for pathogens like MRSA, C. difficile, and VRE. These microbes can survive for hours or even days on these surfaces, enabling indirect transmission from patient to patient via hands or instruments.

Routine Is Not Enough: Strategic Disinfection Matters

Traditional cleaning alone is not sufficient to eliminate the risk. A structured cleaning and disinfection protocol tailored to risk zones is essential. This means categorizing areas by infection risk (e.g., ICU vs. office) and adjusting cleaning frequency and method accordingly. Electrostatic sprayers, ready-to-use disinfectants with short contact times, and color-coded tools can increase efficiency and safety.

The Role of Staff and Training

The housekeeping team plays a central role in infection control. Effective interventions depend on their knowledge of cross-contamination, adherence to hand hygiene, and use of personal protective equipment (PPE). Ongoing training—such as the 630-hour provincial AEP program in Québec—equips staff with the skills needed to recognize high-risk areas and apply disinfectants appropriately.

End-to-End Protocols for Safer Care

Combining daily cleaning of high-touch surfaces with regular audits, proper dilution practices, and visual management tools (like color-coded charts) ensures compliance and reduces infection risks. Technological solutions like Sanitek or real-time tracking can support quality assurance efforts.

Find what you need in Quebec’s largest sanitary product catalog.

Featured Product: Ready-to-use cleaner disinfectant with broad-spectrum efficacy.