Infection Control
Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) Environmental cleaning and disinfection principles for health and residential care facilities
Infection Control (AGPs)
This information sheet should be read in conjunction with the ‘What you need to know’ and ‘Isolation guidance’ information sheets at www.health.gov.au/covid19-resources
Cleaning hasthenever been more toimportant Cleaning reduces soil load, allowing the disinfectant work. Removal of germs such as the Cleaning is an essential part of disinfection. Organic matter can inactivate many disinfectants.
virus that causes COVID-19 requires thorough cleaning followed by disinfection.
The Australian Government - Department of Health released some useful guidelines The length of time that SARS-COV-2 (the cause of COVID-19) survives on inanimate surfaces on will vary depending on factors such as the amount of contaminated body fluid e.g. respiratory routine environmental cleaning. droplets or soiling present and environmental temperature and humidity.
It’s recommended to apply two complete cyclesfor of many cleaning of all environmental surfaces using detergent Coronaviruses can survive on surfaces hours but are readily inactivated by cleaning andand disinfection. disinfectant (as per contact transmission-based guidelines).
It is good practice to routinely clean surfaces as follows: When considering the cleaning and disinfecting of dental equipment please check with your dental chair manufacturer for appropriate and approved products. Whilst surface have fantastic virus killing • Clean frequently touched surfaces with detergent some solution (see disinfectants diagram below). agents the same disinfectants may not be approved to be used on medical devices such as dental chairs. •
Clean general surfaces and fittings when visibly soiled and immediately after any spillage.
Routine environmental cleaning requirements can be divided into two groups 1: ROUTINE ENVIRONMENTAL CLEANING
FREQUENTLY TOUCHED SURFACES
MINIMALLY TOUCHED SURFACE
Door handles, bedrails, tabletops, light switches
Floors, ceilings, walls, blinds
Detergent solution (as per manufacturer’s instructions) or detergent/disinfection wipes are adequate for cleaning general surfaces and non-patient care areas.
Should be frequently, mechanically cleaned. Detergent solution (as per manufacturer’s instructions) or detergent/disinfectant wipes can be used (so long as mechanical cleaning is achieved).
Damp mopping is preferable to dry mopping. Walls and blinds should be cleaned when visibly dusty or soiled. Window curtains should be regularly changed in addition to being cleaned when soiled. Sinks and basins should be cleaned on a regular basis.
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Adapted from Australian Guidelines for the Prevention and Control of Infection in Healthcare, Canberra: National Health and Medical Research Council (2019).
Environmental cleaning and disinfecting principles for health and residential care facilities – Version 3 (13/05/2020) Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) 1 2 0
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