Cleaning Beyond Adherence at APIC26: Memorial Hermann Uses Multimodal Education to Strengthen Device Disinfection Practices

Proper cleaning and disinfection of shared medical equipment remains a cornerstone of infection prevention, yet ensuring consistent frontline adherence to manufacturer instructions can be challenging in busy health care environments.

At the Association for Professionals in Infection Prevention and Epidemiology Annual Conference and Exposition held from June 15 to 17, 2026, in Nashville, Tennessee, Zehra Jaffari, MPH, CIC, infection preventionist with Memorial Hermann Health System, in Houston, Texas, presented findings from a quality improvement project designed to improve staff knowledge and adherence with cleaning and disinfection practices for commonly used patient care devices.

The poster, "Clean It Like You Mean It: Empowering Staff to Effectively Clean and Disinfect Equipment," highlighted a systemwide initiative focused on standardizing cleaning and disinfection procedures for glucometers and mobile devices while reinforcing the importance of following manufacturer instructions for use (IFUs).

"Effective infection prevention relies not only on policies but also on consistent frontline adherence to proper cleaning and disinfection of medical equipment used on patients," Jaffari noted in the presentation. "Inadequate point-of-use device hygiene is a critical but often overlooked risk to patient safety."

The project was developed in response to challenges frequently encountered across health care systems, including variations in cleaning practices, confusion regarding manufacturer instructions, and uncertainty about the differences between cleaning and disinfection requirements.

To address these issues, Memorial Hermann implemented a6-month quality improvement initiative using a structured educational and standardization framework.

The intervention incorporated several components. Infection prevention leaders collaborated directly with manufacturers to verify device-specific cleaning and disinfection instructions. The team then developed standardized 1-page guidance tools for use throughout the health system. Device-specific expectations were incorporated into annual educational modules and competency assessments, while live demonstrations provided hands-on opportunities for staff to practice proper techniques.

The initiative was designed to address multiple barriers simultaneously, including workflow challenges, supply issues, and variability among devices used across different clinical settings.

According to Jaffari, manufacturer collaboration played a critical role in ensuring staff received accurate and consistent guidance. "Manufacturer collaboration clarified IFU requirements and assisted in the creation of standardized one-page tools," the author reported.

The educational interventions also helped reinforce critical concepts that are often misunderstood in clinical practice. "Live demonstrations addressed gaps in understanding related to cleaning vs disinfection and contact times," Jaffari wrote.

Although the project relied on descriptive analysis rather than formal statistical testing, the results demonstrated meaningful improvements in staff engagement and understanding. Investigators reported increased confidence among frontline personnel, greater consistency in cleaning practices, and improved alignment with verified manufacturer recommendations across the health system.

The project also helped position infection prevention professionals as accessible partners in patient safety rather than solely adherence monitors.

The author concluded that combining manufacturer collaboration, educational resources, competency integration, and hands-on demonstrations created a practical framework for improving equipment hygiene.

"This project found that a structured, multimodal initiative effectively improved standardization and understanding of proper medical device cleaning and disinfection," Jaffari wrote.

As health care organizations continue working to reduce health care-associated infections, the findings suggest that clear guidance, practical education, and direct engagement with frontline staff can strengthen adherence to evidence-based cleaning practices. The approach may provide a model for other organizations seeking to improve point-of-use device hygiene and enhance patient safety across diverse clinical environments.