Wipes are a Preferred Healthcare Hard-Surface Disinfectant, Survey of Infection Preventionists Shows

Wipes are a preferred hard-surface disinfectant in the healthcare setting, according to a number of infection preventionists surveyed by BioScience Laboratories, Inc. This and other pertinent findings were revealed in a survey was conducted in person in the exhibit hall at the annual meeting of the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC) held in July in New Orleans. Ninety-three individuals completed the survey, and 75 percent of them designated infection prevention/control as their primary role within their facility.

The survey respondents answered four questions about hard-surface disinfectant products and the use of these products within their facility. The compiled responses indicated the preference of wipes over other product forms and the desire for in-person training from the manufacturer. The most commonly suggested product improvements were a shorter contact time, more pleasant odor, and better education and training for the users.

Survey participants consisted of 93 attendees at APIC 2010. As determined by the first question in the survey, the population performs the following roles within their facility:

Infection prevention/control professional -- 75 percent

LPN or RN -- 12 percent

Microbiologist  -- 3 percent

Nurse Practitioner -- 2 percent

Other -- 9 percent

Other demographic information was not gathered from the survey participants.

The following are results from the survey:

1. Availability of Hard-Surface Disinfectants

-- 56 percent of respondents said they are readily available -- no additional installation locations are needed

-- 38 percent of respondents said they could be more available 1 percent to 25 percent more installation locations are needed

-- 2 percent of respondents said there is not enough available -- 26 percent to 50 percent more installation locations are needed

-- 3 percent of respondents said they are grossly unavailable - 50 percent or more installation locations are needed.

2. Preferred Form of Hard-Surface Disinfectant

Wipes -- 60 percent

Diluted Product (mixed with water) -- 21 percent

Pump Spray -- 15 percent

Aerosol Spray -- 5 percent

3. Most Effective Forms of Manufacturers Training

In-person Training -- 43 percent

Diagrams and Posters -- 27 percent

Video -- 15 percent

Written Instructions -- 15 percent

 Other -- 1 percent

4. Top Five Changes and/or Improvements to Current Hard-Surface Disinfectant Product

-- Shorter Contact Time (11 responses)

-- More pleasant odor (8 responses)

-- Better education and training (8 responses)

-- More effective (including against Clostridium difficile) (5 responses)

-- Increased compliance (4 responses)

About the survey: Survey participants received $2 to complete the hard copy survey in ink. The identity of survey participants was not collected. The survey was designed by the BioScience Laboratories, Inc. sales and marketing staff, and questions were developed based on industry issues discussed at similar industry conferences.