Less Can Be More: Evaluating Quality vs. Quantity of Disinfectant Kill Claims

Author: Caitlin Stowe MPH, CPH, CPHQ, CIC

Healthcare associated infections cause an undue burden on the U.S. healthcare system with costs in the billions of dollars annually. Thorough disinfection of environmental surfaces and reusable patient care equipment with an EPA-approved disinfectant is a core component of infection prevention in healthcare facilities as these surfaces and equipment harbor EIPs which are responsible for HAIs and outbreaks. Evaluating the quality of disinfectant kill claims to address the EIPs responsible for the majority of HAIs and reported outbreaks in the healthcare setting as opposed to the quantity of claims cited by the manufacturer will aid decision-making of the right disinfectant and promote patient safety