Experts Issue Reminders on Proper Usage of Wipes to Reduce Cross-Contamination

Manufacturers of antibacterial wipes are trying to leverage the heightened press on the clinical study to educate and increase awareness on the proper protocol for using surface disinfectants. “The Cardiff study essentially brings to light that surface disinfection products are not always used in a manner consistent with manufacturer’s labeling,” says Kathy Wie, marketing communications manager for Metrex Research Corporation. “Metrex cleaning instructions on our labels specifically state to use multiple wipes as a cleaning and disinfecting process. First, preclean by using a wipe to remove all visible gross debris. Use a second wipe to thoroughly wet the surface for three minutes to be effective as a bactericide and two minutes as a virucide. Repeated use of the product may be required to ensure that the surface remains wet.”

Wie continues, “I can’t emphasize enough the importance of having the surfaces wet for the time specified on the manufacturers’ labels. I suggest comparing wipes that are out in the market and select the wettest wipes to ensure that surfaces will be fully saturate for the recommended time. Also, compare wipe substrates. Look for strong and sturdy wipes that will pick up gross debris easily to reduce time during the pre-cleaning step.”

Some believe antimicrobial wipes could create a false sense of security in terms of elimination of pathogenic bacteria and viruses on surfaces. Maillard remarks, “Creating a false sense of security is a danger in using any products labeled as ‘antimicrobial.’ The wipes are no different. If microorganisms are removed effectively from a surface, then the risk of infection should decrease. This is where wipes should have a role to play. Increasing the antimicrobial effect of the wipes to ensure that the microorganisms removed are killed within the wipe is attractive and provides an additional protection for the end user. However, this might not be easy to achieve; different microorganisms, for example bacteria and viruses, will display different susceptibility, and might be expensive to develop: increasing the number of antimicrobial agents or the concentration of an antimicrobial agents will increase the cost a wipe.”