The Do's and Don'ts of Decontamination
Protecting your clinic and patients
Decontamination is the process of removing or neutralizing harmful substances, such as pathogens, toxins, or radioactive materials, from a surface, object, or person to make it safe for handling or use.
Decontamination can be achieved through a variety of methods, including physical, chemical, or biological means.
In healthcare settings, decontamination is a critical step in preventing the spread of infections and maintaining a clean and safe environment for patients, healthcare workers, and visitors. Decontamination may involve sterilisation, disinfection, or cleaning, depending on the type and level of contamination.
In environmental or industrial settings, decontamination may be necessary to clean up hazardous materials, such as chemicals or pollutants, to prevent harm to people or the environment. This may involve the use of specialised equipment or procedures, such as containment, removal, or treatment of the contaminated material.
Here are some essential tips for ensuring your evironment and tools are sterile.
Do’s:
- PPE: When decontaminating a contaminated area or object, make sure you are wearing the appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE). This includes gloves, goggles, a mask or respirator, and a protective suit.
- Instructions: When using decontamination agents (disinfectants and sanitisers), make sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions.
- Use a sufficient amount of decontamination agent to cover the entire surface area or object being treated, and allow enough time for the agent to work.
- Make sure to properly dispose of the contaminated materials and PPE according to the regulations and guidelines.
- Had hygiene: Follow proper hand hygiene practices, such as washing hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, or using hand sanitiser.
- Consider using specialised equipment, such as fogging machines, to more effectively decontaminate larger areas.
Don’ts:
- Do not mix different types of decontamination agents together, as this can create hazardous chemical reaction.
- Do not reuse PPE, as this can increase the risk of cross-contamination.
- Do not touch your face or other parts of your body while wearing contaminated PPE.
- Do not use decontamination agents that have expired or are no longer effective.
- Do not assume that a surface or area is clean just because it looks clean. Use appropriate testing methods to verify that the area has been adequately decontaminated.
- Do not attempt to decontaminate hazardous materials or areas without proper training or equipment.
By following these do’s and don’ts, you can help ensure that your decontamination efforts are effective and clean.
For more detailed information on best practice for decontamination, download our FREE guide.
Products that Algeos sell to help you ensure that your decontamination process is effective are:
