Contact time has limited impact on the efficacy of disinfectant towelettes when tested under conditions reflective of realistic use.

Background: Disinfectant towelettes are increasingly being used as a means to prevent transmission of clinically important pathogens which could lead to healthcare-associated infections (HAIs). However, the efficacy of disinfectant towelette products when tested under realistic use conditions is understudied. A test model was designed to replicate realistic wiping conditions.

Contact time and disinfectant formulation significantly impact the efficacies of disinfectant towelettes against Candida auris on hard, non-porous surfaces.

There has been an increase in Candida auris healthcare-associated infections, which result from cross-contamination from surfaces and equipment. In this study, we tested the efficacies of EPA-registered disinfectant towelettes products that are increasingly used for infection control against C. auris at a range of contact times following modifications to standard EPA protocol MB-33-00.

Evaluation of automated floor cleaning, disinfection, and application methods against Staphylococcus aureus.

Background: Optimization of automated floor disinfection practices using different application methods and product types is important to ensure that pathogens such as Staphylococcus aureus do not transfer from contaminated floors to other high contact areas resulting in healthcare-associated infections (HAIs). We hypothesized that there would be significant differences among the disinfectants and a cleaner under different application methods. Also, performance of application methods would be dependent upon type of product used.

Hydrogen peroxide, sodium dichloro-s-triazinetriones and quaternary alcohols significantly inactivate the dry-surface biofilms of and more than quaternary ammoniums.

Globally, healthcare-associated infections (HAI) are the most frequent adverse outcome in healthcare delivery. Although bacterial biofilms contribute significantly to the incidence of HAI, few studies have investigated the efficacy of common disinfectants against dry-surface biofilms (DSB). The objective of this study was to evaluate the bactericidal efficacy of seven Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)-registered liquid disinfectants against DSB of and .

Disinfectant wipes transfer Clostridioides difficile spores from contaminated surfaces to uncontaminated surfaces during the disinfection process.

Background: Pre-wetted disinfectant wipes are increasingly being used in healthcare facilities to help address the risk of healthcare associated infections (HAIs). However, HAIs are still a major problem in the US with Clostridioides difficile being the most common cause, leading to approximately 12,800 deaths annually in the US. An underexplored risk when using disinfectant wipes is that they may cross-contaminate uncontaminated surfaces during the wiping process.

Cross-contamination by disinfectant towelettes varies by product chemistry and strain.

Background: Disinfectant products are used frequently on environmental surfaces (e.g. medical equipment, countertops, patient beds) and patient care equipment within healthcare facilities.

A rapid model for developing dry surface biofilms of Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa for in vitro disinfectant efficacy testing.

Background: Bacterial biofilms persistent on dry environmental surfaces in healthcare facilities play an important role in the occurrence of healthcare associated infections (HAI). Compared to wet surface biofilms and planktonic bacteria, dry surface biofilms (DSB) are more tolerant to disinfection. However, there is no official method for developing DSB for in vitro disinfectant efficacy testing.

Assessment of early onset surface damage from accelerated disinfection protocol.

Background: The objective of this study was to evaluate the extent and potential mechanisms of early onset surface damage from simulated wiping typical of six-months of routine disinfection and to assess the subsequent microbial risk of surfaces damaged by disinfectants.

Methods: Eight common material surfaces were exposed to three disinfectants and a neutral cleaner (neutral cleaner, quaternary ammonium, hydrogen peroxide, sodium hypochlorite) in accelerated aging tests to simulate a long-term disinfection routine. Materials were also immersed in dilute and concentrated chemical solutions to induce surface damage.

Hydrogen peroxide and sodium hypochlorite disinfectants are more effective against and biofilms than quaternary ammonium compounds.

Background: Antimicrobial disinfectants are used as primary treatment options against pathogens on surfaces in healthcare facilities to help prevent healthcare associated infections (HAIs). On many surfaces, pathogenic microorganisms exist as biofilms and form an extracellular matrix that protects them from the antimicrobial effects of disinfectants. Disinfectants are used as all-purpose antimicrobials though very few specifically make biofilm efficacy claims.

Surface area wiped, product type, and target strain impact bactericidal efficacy of ready-to-use disinfectant Towelettes.

Background: Disinfectant products are often used on environmental surfaces (e.g. countertops, patient beds) and patient care equipment in healthcare facilities to help prevent the transmission of healthcare-associated infections.

There is no additional bactericidal efficacy of Environmental Protection Agency-registered disinfectant towelettes after surface drying or beyond label contact time.

Background: Disinfectant towelettes are commonly used for surface disinfection to prevent health care-associated infections; however, there is limited consensus as to whether a surface needs to remain wet for the full label contact time after the disinfectant towelette has been used in order for complete efficacy to be achieved. The purpose of this study was to quantify the effect of contact time, including times before and after a product dries, on bactericidal efficacy of 6 towelette products registered by the Environmental Protection Agency .

Methods: Six disinfectant towelette products were tested at varying contact times, including defined label contact times.

Strain, disinfectant, concentration, and contact time quantitatively impact disinfectant efficacy.

Background: Transmission of healthcare-associated infections caused by antibiotic- and multi-drug resistant (MDR) pathogens (e.g. Methicillin-resistant (MRSA), ) are a major concern in patient care facilities.

Effects of contact time and concentration on bactericidal efficacy of 3 disinfectants on hard nonporous surfaces.

This study investigated the influence of contact time and concentration on bactericidal efficacy of 3 types of disinfectants (accelerated hydrogen peroxide [AHP], quaternary ammonium compounds [Quats], and sodium hypochlorite) on stainless steel surfaces using Environmental Protection Agency procedure MB-25-02. We found that bactericidal efficacy was not reduced at contact times or concentrations immediate lower than label use values, but all 3 disinfectants were significantly less bactericidal at significantly lower than label use contact times and concentrations. Overall, the bactericidal efficacy of the sodium hypochlorite disinfectant was most tolerant to the decreases of contact times and concentrations, followed closely by AHP disinfectant, and Quat disinfectant was most affected by contact time and concentration.