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Disinfection and Sterilization

Category: Disinfection and Sterilization

ePoster Kiosk Presentation

DS 32 - Healthcare Worker Knowledge Gaps Regarding Disinfectant Wipes in a Network of Ambulatory Clinics

Monday, June 3, 2024
10:46 AM – 11:15 AM CST
Location: Kiosk 10 - APIC Central, Hall 1
Has Audio
Disclosure(s):
Michelle Swetky, MPH, CIC, FAPIC: No financial relationships to disclose
Marie H. Wilson, MSN, RN, CIC, FAPIC: No financial relationships to disclose
Brittany McCreery, MD, MBA, FACHE: No financial relationships to disclose
Steven A. Pergam, MD, MPH: Cidara: Local PI, Clinical Trial (Ongoing); F2G: Local PI, Clinical Trial (Ongoing); Global Life Technologies: Grant/Research Support (Ongoing); Symbio: Local PI, Clinical Trial (Ongoing)
Salma Walji, MPA, RN: No financial relationships to disclose


Background:

Background: Low-level disinfection (LLD) of non-critical medical equipment and surfaces is vital in the prevention of healthcare-associated infections through the continuum of care. Few studies have investigated healthcare workers’ (HCW) knowledge of wipes used for LLD in high turnover ambulatory settings. We set out to assess HCW’s level of understanding of LLD wipes, and the spectrum of products used in an ambulatory cancer center network.

Methods:

Methods: An anonymous survey addressing wipes used was sent to clinical staff via email, through unit-based leadership or was completed on units on a tablet provided by investigators. Respondents were queried through multiple choice and open-ended questions about disinfectant wipes available in their department and details about use (e.g., contact time and indication).

Results:

Results: A total of 231 HCWs responded to the survey over a two-week period. Almost a quarter (23%) of respondents noted their department utilized at least four types of wipes. Of the six wipes included in the survey, the bleach-wipe (79%, n=224), hydrogen peroxide wipe (52%, n=197), quaternary ammonia plus alcohol wipe (73%, n=193) and quaternary ammonia wipe (52%, n=187) were the most frequently used. HCWs correctly reported contact time 47% of the time (n=485) for all wipes. Nearly 12% (n=151) of respondents that utilized bleach-wipes did not associate their use with enteric contact precautions.

Conclusions:

Conclusion: Appropriate use of wipes is essential in preventing transmission of pathogens in outpatient settings. Our data demonstrates that less than half of HCWs were able to identify the correct contact time of frequently used wipes and use of non-sporicidal wipes for enteric contact precautions was not infrequent. The large variety of wipes that can accumulate in ambulatory environments may further HCW confusion, leading to inappropriate use of wipes and inadequate LLD. Center-based training and product standardization may help address this important safety issue.

Learning Objectives:

  • Upon completion, participant will be able to describe how to conduct a survey to assess healthcare worker knowledge gaps regarding low-level disinfectant wipes.
  • Upon completion, participant will be able to list common knowledge gaps of low-level disinfectant wipes that healthcare workers in the ambulatory setting may have.
  • Upon completion, participant will be able to describe what factors may contribute to knowledge gaps of low-level disinfectant wipes and potential solutions.