​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​This Device​​​​ Evaluation webcast is being made available to the general public. Con​​tact us to learn about everything the Device Evaluation group can do for your organization.

​​This webcast was held on March 22, 2023​​​. A recording of the event appears below.

Overview

To stay ahead of evolving infection control challenges, facilities must continually refi​​ne their environmental cleaning and disinfection procedures. During our March 22, 2023, webcast, ECRI experts provided actionable recommendations on how to enhance cleaning and disinfection processes. Specifically, we explored:

• The chain of infection and how effective environmental cleaning and disinfection procedures can help break it
• How to select an effective EPA-registered disinfectant for SARS-CoV-2, Clostridioides difficile, Candida auris, and bloodborne pathogens
• The importance of staff training on cleaning and disinfection procedures and performance feedback
• Common mistakes to avoid​

​​​Presenters

• Jason Launders, Director of Operations, Device Evaluation, ECRI​
• Amanda Sivek, PhD, Principal Project Engineer I, Device Evaluation, ECRI
• Ericka L. Kalp, PhD, MPH, CIC, FAPIC, Director, Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) and Consulting, ECRI
  
• Hillary Hei, ​MPH, CIC, LSSGB,​ HEM, Infection Preventionist, ECRI

Webcast Recordng

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Supplementary Materials

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Additional Resources

​​​Disinfectant Concentrations for EPA's Lists of Products Effective against Various Healthcare-Associated Pathogens

These tables supplement EPA's lists by adding disinfectant concentrations, to help ensure you're using an effective disinfectant at a sufficient concentration to kill these pathogens.

• Disinfectant Concentrations, Contact Times, and Use Settings for EPA's List of Products Effective against SARS-CoV-2 (List N), the Cause of COVID-19  
• Disinfectant Concentrations, Contact Times, and Use Settings for EPA's List of Products Effective against Clostridioides difficile (List K)​ (Access​ requires ECRI membership)
• Disinfectant Concentrations, Contact Times, and Use Settings for EPA's List of Products Effective against Candida auris (List P) (Access requires ECRI membership)
• Disinfectant Concentrations and Contact Times for EPA's List of Products Effective against Mycobacterium tuberculosis, Human HIV-1, and Hepatitis B Virus (List E) ​(Access requires ECRI membership)
• Disinfectant Concentrations and Contact Times for EPA's List of Products Effective against Mycobacterium tuberculosis (List B) (Access requires ECRI membership)
  

Ease-of-Reprocessing​ Assessment Tool 

Assess how easy device reprocessing is to perform in your facility using this downloadable Excel tool, which includes separate assessments for cleaning, disinfection, and sterilization. ​​​Use the tool​ (Access requires ECRI membership.)

Evaluation Backgrounds

See ratings for the device models we've tested, and learn more about the technology and our Evaluation test protocol.

• UV Room Disinfection Devices 
• Countertop UV Disinfection Devices 

Disinfection Technology Briefings

We assess the suitability of each device type for various healthcare and non-healthcare settings, and determine the strength of the evidence to support its use.

• Chemical Fog Room Disinfection Devices 
• Hydrogen Peroxide Vapor Room Decontamination Devices 
• Handheld UV Disinfection Devices 

For comparative tables providing a snapshot of our assessment of these and many other large- and small-area environmental disinfection technologies, see our Technology Background.

Guidance Articles​

• How Much Does Surface Wetness Matter When Using Disinfectant Wipes?
• How Improper Cleaning Can Damage Medical Equipment

Top 10 Health Technology Hazards

• Confusion Surrounding Ventilator Cleaning and Disinfection Requirements Can Lead to Cross-Contamination (2023 Hazard #7)
• Poor Duodenoscope Reprocessing Ergonomics and Workflows Put Healthcare Workers and Patients at Risk (2022 Hazard #8)
• Hasty Deployment of UV Disinfection Devices Can Reduce Effectiveness and Increase Exposure Risks (2021 Hazard #6)
• Infection Risks from Sterile Processing Errors in Medical and Dental Offices (2020 Hazard #3)
• Cleaning Fluid Seeping into Electrical Components Can Lead to Equipment Damage and Fires (2019 Hazard #9)
• Mattresses and Covers May Be Infected by Body Fluids and Microbiological Contaminants (2018 Hazard #​3)

Infection Reduction Technologies: The Essentials

A collection of ECRI Evaluations, guidance articles, tools, and other resources associated with infection reduction technologies.​​​​