School Infection Control Handbook - 2010

Chapter 3: Development of Protocols

Chapter 3.H. Preventing Cross-Contamination

Introduction Cross-contamination is the transfer of infectious microbes from one surface, object, or person to another. Preventing this transfer can help minimize the surfaces that need to be cleaned or disinfected for infection control. It is also counterproductive to what a cleaning program is trying to achieve. Preventing cross-contamination begins with an understanding of where microbes live (reservoir), how they multiply, and how they move from location to location. See Chapter 2. The Science of Infection Control for information on how this “transmission” process works. This document provides some common cross-contamination scenarios in schools and several strategies and work practices to prevent this from happening. What are the common reservoirs of microbes that serve as sources of cross-contamination in schools, and what strategies can be used to eliminate them? x Reservoir: A used cleaning cloth or mop head, especially if left soaking in dirty solutions. 1 x Strategies: ; Launder cloths and mop heads after use and allow them to dry before reuse to help minimize the degree of contamination. ; Replace soiled cloths and mop heads with clean items each time a bucket of disinfectant is emptied and replaced with fresh, clean solution. 1 ___________________________________________________________________________ x Reservoir: A solution of disinfectants, especially if the working solution is prepared in a dirty container, stored for long periods of time, or prepared incorrectly. Gram- negative bacilli (e.g., Pseudomonas species and Serratia marcescens ) have been detected in solutions of some disinfectants (e.g., phenolics and QACs). 1 x Strategies: ; Prepare disinfectant and detergent solutions in clean containers. ; Make sufficient cleaning solution for daily cleaning, discard any remaining solution, and dry out the container. ; Dispose of used solutions immediately. __________________________________________________________________________ x Reservoir: Contaminated hands or gloves. x Strategies: (in order of preference) ; Wear and wash chemical-resistant gloves each time a mop head or cleaning cloth is changed for a new surface, or when the disinfectant solution is changed. ; Wear and change disposable chemical-resistant gloves each time a mop head or cleaning cloth is changed for a new surface, or when disinfectant solution is changed.

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