What are the Disinfection Procedures to Prevent Hospital-Acquired Infection Causes?

Hospital-acquired infections are very common. These types of infections can originate from devices. They can also be transmitted through environmental factors.

Some infections occur due to devices found in hospitals. These are as follows:

Catheter-associated bloodstream infection.
Urinary tract infection caused by Foley catheters.
Ventilator-associated pneumonia infections.
Surgical site infections resulting from procedures.

There is a risk of infection transmission in healthcare environments due to the following reasons:

Overcrowding within the hospital.
Weakened immune systems in elderly people.
Inadequate compliance with hand hygiene.
Staff shortages.
Improper use of personal protective equipment.
Late implementation of infection control programs.

What Method Should Be Applied to Reduce the Risk of Infection?

To reduce the occurrence of infections within the hospital, the bacteria, viruses, and fungi that cause them must be inhibited. First, terminal cleaning must be performed in the areas to be disinfected. Then, the Hydrogen Peroxide (H2O2) disinfection process is carried out.

Terminal cleanings are generally performed 3 times a day with Sodium Hypochlorite at a 1:10 ratio.

The Hydrogen Peroxide used here must be silver-stabilized. Hydrogen peroxide application in the vapor phase has been used as the application method.

Disinfection processes performed with vaporized hydrogen peroxide have been in use for a long time. As a result of research, it has been determined to be more effective compared to routine terminal cleaning.

How Does the Disinfectant Effect of Hydrogen Peroxide Occur?

Compared to its liquid form, it is an antimicrobial chemical substance. It contains a range of reactive oxygen species. These are hydroxyl radicals and superoxide anions. By producing these, it performs the disinfection process by attacking the DNA, lipids, and proteins of viruses, bacteria, and fungi.

Hydrogen peroxide has strong oxidizing properties. Lipids found in the cell membranes of microorganisms are damaged by the oxidative effect of hydrogen peroxide. This oxidative damage disrupts the structure of the microorganism's cell membrane and can cause leakage of intracellular components. Especially bacterial cell walls can be damaged by the oxidative effect of hydrogen peroxide. This can lead to the disruption of the cell wall's integrity and the death of the microorganism.

All information here should be used in accordance with the regulations by experts and professionals in the field.