Patient safety and infection control are critical for hospitals and healthcare providers to produce the best possible outcomes for patients and avoid preventable infections and errors. This list examines technology and products designed to disinfect medical instruments and operating rooms, reduce preventable complications, stop the spread of germs and make surgery safer for patients.
The products featured here include UV disinfectants, catheters and central lines, disinfectants and detergents, hand hygiene products, health technology, reprocessing, products for surgical procedures and textiles among other items designed for infection control.
The Becker's Healthcare editorial team developed this list based on nominations and internal research. Companies do not pay and cannot pay for inclusion on this list. Products are listed in alphabetical order by category.
UV disinfection
AUVS - KR615 - Small Device Disinfection (Advanced Ultra-Violet Systems). The UV Box uses Advanced Ultra-Violet Systems' Pentagon-selected Photon Trap Technology to disinfect small mobile and portable devices in less than a minute. [CLICK HERE]
Germicidal UV-C lighting (Steril-Aire). Germicidal UV-C lighting is installed in the air handling units of HVAC systems and kills 99.9 percent of biofilm on the coil lighting. [CLICK HERE]
HealthySole (Detecto). HealthySole is a UV-C product designed to kill 99.99 percent of exposed microorganisms on the bottom of healthcare workers' shoes. [CLICK HERE]
Helios (Surfacide). Helios is a patented automated triple-emitter UV-C hard-surface detection solution. [CLICK HERE]
Klaran (Crystal IS). Klaran UVC LEDs from Crystal IS emit UV energy at the peak absorption range of bacterial D/RNA to ensure a highly effective and consistent germicidal effect across a range of potentially lethal pathogens linked to Healthcare Acquired Infections (HAIs). [CLICK HERE]
LightStrike Germ-Zapping Robots (Xenex). Xenex's LightStrike Germ-Zapping Robots use pulsed xenon, an inert gas, to produce germicidal UV-C light. [CLICK HERE]
Optimum-UV Enlight System (Clorox Healthcare). The Clorox Healthcare Optimum-UV Enlight System is an all-in-one solution providing surface treatment enhanced by UV-C technology to kill more than 30 pathogens, including C. difficile spores and MRSA. [CLICK HERE]
SoleMate (Green Earth Medical Solutions). SoleMate is the first and only UV-C footwear sanitizing system that utilizes its patented disruptive and proactive Solestice 3/15 Technology to kill pathogens by penetrating and destroying the outer walls and DNA of 99.9 percent of the most deadly pathogens and superbugs. [CLICK HERE]
UV Cleaning Systems (UV Cleaning Systems Inc.). UV Cleaning Systems is the next generation of economically priced UV-C devices. [CLICK HERE]
Vioguard Keyboard (Vioguard). The Vioguard keyboard is an FDA cleared, self-sanitizing keyboard that uses UV-C light to automatically sanitize its surface for worry-free typing every time. [CLICK HERE]
Catheters and central lines
3M Curos Tips Disinfecting Cap Strip for Male Luers (3M). 3M's Curos Tips Disinfecting Cap Strip for Male Luers is intended to decrease contamination of the IV line, disinfecting in one minute and protecting male luers for up to seven days. [CLICK HERE]
3M Curos Stopper Disinfecting Cap for Open Female Luers. Containing 70 percent isopropyl alcohol, 3M's Curos Stopper Disinfecting Cap for Open Female Luers is intended to protect against microorganisms often associated with CLABSI. [CLICK HERE]
3M Curos Disinfecting Port Protectors (3M). The 3M Curos Disinfecting Port Protectors achieved a 99.99 percent reduction of six microbes often connected with a central line-associated bloodstream infection. [CLICK HERE]
3M Tegaderm CHG Chlorhexidine Gluconate IV Securement Dressing (3M). 3M's Tegaderm CHG Chlorhexidine Gluconate IV Securement Dressing decreases catheter-related bloodstream infections and vascular catheter colonization. [CLICK HERE]
3M PICC / CVC Securement Device + Tegaderm CHG Chlorhexidine Gluconate IV Securement Dressing (3M). 3M's PICC / CVC Securement Device secures an IV without sutures using silicone adhesives. [CLICK HERE]
Antimicrobial PICC Line Covers (Care+Wear). Care+Wear's stretchy, antimicrobial fabric covers help keep peripherally inserted central catheter lines secure and prevent dislodgement, which is a leading cause of infection in patients with PICC lines. [CLICK HERE]
ClearGuard HD Antimicrobial Barrier Cap (ClearGuard). The ClearGuard HD Antimicrobial Barrier Cap is clinically shown to significantly reduce catheter-related bloodstream infections in hemodialysis patients using central venous catheters. [CLICK HERE]
Duette Dual Balloon Urinary Catheter (Poiesis Medical). Duette indwelling urinary catheter is the first catheter clinically designed to reduce bladder wall damage and increase fluid removal. [CLICK HERE]
POWERWAND (Access Scientific). The WAND family of products is designed to prevent hospital-acquired infections and protect both patients and providers. [CLICK HERE]
Readycleanse (Medline Industries). Readycleanse is specially designed for comprehensive metal and perineal care to reduce the risk of developing a CAUTI. [CLICK HERE]
Disinfectants and detergents
3M C. diff Solution Tablets (3M). 3M C. diff Solution Tablets, intended to be dissolved in water, serve as an alternative disinfecting method to bleach and peracetic acid disinfectants. [CLICK HERE]
AP-4 (Altapure). Altapure's AP-4 high-level disinfection system is a high performance device designed to meet the terminal cleaning demands of the critical care hospital environment. AP-4 achieves a true 6 Log elimination of pathogenic bioburden and includes Altapure's patented ultrasonically generated aerosol delivery. [CLICK HERE]
BioBlast Disinfectant (Aquaox; BioBlasting). BioBlast Disinfectant is a 275 ppm hypochlorous acid product. [CLICK HERE]
Bleach Germicidal Wipes (Clorox Healthcare). Clorox Healthcare Bleach Germicidal Wipes kill 58 microorganisms, including C. difficile spores, in three minutes or less. [CLICK HERE]
BruTabs (BHC). BruTabs are effervescent disinfectant sanitizer tablets, effective against C. difficile spores, hepatitis B, norovirus and Canine parvovirus. [CLICK HERE]
EM360 Electrostatic Spray System (E-Mist Innovations). E-Mist is dedicated to infection prevention and control. Founded on a legacy of electrostatic science and technology, the E-Mist Infection Control System and Process complements existing disinfection application methods. [CLICK HERE]
Fuzion Cleaner Disinfectant (Clorox Healthcare). Fuzion is a next-generation bleach combining disinfecting efficiency against tough-to-kill pathogens like C. difficile spores with aesthetics required for broad use throughout the facility. [CLICK HERE]
Halo Total-Room Disinfection System (Halosil International). The Halo Disinfection System is a total-room disinfection system designed to kill 99.9999 percent of C. difficile spores throughout the entire room. [CLICK HERE]
Indigo-CleanTM, a continuous environmental disinfection technology, is patented and proven to kill harmful bacteria linked to hospital acquired infections (HAIs), such as MRSA and C.diff.[CLICK HERE]
Micro-Kill One Germicidal Alcohol Wipes (Medline Industries). Micro-Kill One Germicidal Alcohol Wipes are durable, low-lint polypropylene cloths that include a quaternary ammonium and alcohol solution. [CLICK HERE]
NOROxyCdiff (PreVasive). NOROxyCdiff is an EPA-registered C. difficile sporicide with a two-minute contact time to eliminate C. diff spores. [CLICK HERE]
Oxivir TB (Diversey). Oxivir TB cleans, disinfects and deodorizes hard, nonporous inanimate hospital or medical surfaces in one step without rinsing. [CLICK HERE]
Peroxide Cleaner Disinfectants (Clorox Healthcare). Clorox Healthcare Hydrogen Peroxide Cleaner Disinfectant offers the fastest non-bleach disinfecting times available for 40-plus microorganisms. [CLICK HERE]
Sani-Cloth HB (PDI). The Sani-Cloth HB Germicidal Disposable Wipe is intended to clean and disinfect nonporous environmental surfaces in healthcare facilities. [CLICK HERE]
Sani-Cloth Bleach (PDI). Designed to disinfect areas rife with C. difficile spores and norovirus, the Sani-Cloth Bleach Germicidal Disposable Wipe is effective against 50 microorganisms in four minutes. [CLICK HERE]
Sani-Cloth Plus (PDI). The Sani-Cloth Plus Germicidal Disposable Wipe is intended for use in alternate care settings, such as a physician's office. [CLICK HERE]
Hand Hygiene
Alcare Plus Antiseptic Handrub (DebMed). Alcare Plus Antiseptic Handrub is a foamed, alcohol-based surgical scrub and hand rinse for healthcare personnel. [CLICK HERE]
Fully Textured Single-Use Gloves (SW Safety Solutions). SW Safety Solutions' fully textured single-use gloves are designed to improve handling of smooth or slippery surfaces and small components. [CLICK HERE]
Ecolab Compliance Monitoring System (Ecolab Healthcare). The Compliance Monitoring System helps hospitals accurately monitor hand hygiene to encourage positive change by healthcare workers. [CLICK HERE]
Hand Hygiene Compliance Monitoring Solution (Stanley Healthcare). This solution features electronic devices embedded in a facility's soap or hand sanitizer dispensers that wirelessly connect with radio-frequency identification badges worn by staff members. [CLICK HERE]
HyGreen (HyGreen). The HyGreen Hand Hygiene Recording and Reminding System is a comprehensive tool to monitor hand hygiene protocol adherence. [CLICK HERE]
Marly Skin Guard (Sanitis Global). Offered through Sanitis Global, Marly Skin Guard is a long-lasting protective skin barrier that resides in the top layer of the skin to provide four hours of continuous protection against chemicals and irritants, including solvents, acids, surgical cement and pesticides. [CLICK HERE]
Purell Healthy Soap with Clean Release (Gojo). The Clean Release technology is designed to boost soap performance with a surfactant system that reaches deep into the skin's cracks and crevices to remove more dirt and germs than regular soap. [CLICK HERE]
RELIAsafe (Liferose Products). RELIAsafe is a double-patented means of providing sterile medical examination gloves donned at the patient's bedside. [CLICK HERE]
SafeHands Sanitizer (safeHands). Founded by physicians, safeHands is an alcohol-free foaming hand sanitizer with benzalkonium chloride as the main active ingredient. [CLICK HERE]
Sani-Hands (PDI). Sani-Hands is a hand hygiene solution designed for those who can't get out of bed to wash their hands. [CLICK HERE]
SemperShield Nitrile (Sempermed). SemperShield Nitrile powder-free exam gloves are used in high-risk situations, with an extended cuff to protect the wrist and lower forearm. [CLICK HERE]
SwipeSense Platform (SwipeSense). SwipeSense Platform is designed to monitor core hand hygiene metrics in one centralized location. [CLICK HERE]
Zylast (Sanitis Global). Sanitis Global's Zylast products are clinically proven to provide efficacy against germs that ordinary hand sanitizers don't, with six hours of persistence. [CLICK HERE]
Health technology
ATP Cleaning Verification System (Hygiena). Hygiena's ATP cleaning verification system delivers instant feedback on surface cleanliness to improve cleaning programs and reduce environmental contamination. [CLICK HERE]
Disposable protective covers (Healthmark). Healthmark's disposable protective covers are designed to keep personal devices safe and germ-free. [CLICK HERE]
Gojo Smartlink Solution (Gojo). Gojo Smartlink Solution includes five platforms that automate and standardize hand hygiene. [CLICK HERE]
LifeShield Screen Protector (Spyder Digital Research). The LifeShield Screen Protector is the only EPA-registered and FDA-listed antimicrobial screen protector with Clorox certification as a bleach- and peroxide-resistant product. [CLICK HERE]
Medigenic Medical Mice and Keyboards (Cycom). Medigenic Medical Mice and Keyboards are designed to prevent and control hospital-acquired infections. [CLICK HERE]
MedMined Surveillance Advisor (BD). BD's MedMined Surveillance Advisor is a patented data mining surveillance solution. [CLICK HERE]
PathogenALERT (EvergreenUV). Pathogen ALERT is an onsite, automated, rapid airborne pathogen detection system, continuously sampling and monitoring air. [CLICK HERE]
POC Advisor (Wolters Kluwer Health and Vocera Communications). POC Advisor is a clinical intelligence platform from Wolters Kluwer that aggregates, normalizes and analyzes patient data from disparate clinical systems. [CLICK HERE]
Robotic IV Insourcing Solution (Omnicell). Omnicell's Robotic IV Insourcing Solution is an automated compounding robot that prepares ready-to-administer medication doses. [CLICK HERE]
TheraDoc (Premier). TheraDoc clinical surveillance technology from Premier enables clinicians to proactively identify at-risk patients in real-time with customizable tools. [CLICK HERE]
The Rothman Index (PeraHealth). The Rothman Index translates EHR data into a health score that represents a patient's overall condition. [CLICK HERE]
PeraAnalytics (PeraHealth). PeraAnalytics is a retrospective analytics platform that provides data visualizations to track health outcomes over time. [CLICK HERE]
PeraTrend (PeraHealth). PeraTrend is powered by PeraHealth's Rothman Index and offers a visual dashboard of a patient's condition in real time. [CLICK HERE]
Safe & Sound (Partner Health). Partner Health's Safe & Sound Family Engagement Toolkit offers user-friendly resources for patients' families to help reduce infections and readmissions. [CLICK HERE]
Sentri7 (Pharmacy OneSource). A real-time clinical surveillance platform, Sentri7 is designed to improve infection prevention workflows. [CLICK HERE]
VigiLanz Dynamic Infection Control Monitor (VigiLanz). VigiLanz's Dynamic Infection Control Monitor is a software-as-a-service clinical surveillance platform. [CLICK HERE]
Vioguard Keyboard (Vioguard). The Vioguard keyboard is an FDA cleared, self-sanitizing keyboard that uses UV-C light to automatically sanitize its surface for worry-free typing every time. [CLICK HERE]
Reprocessing
AZO GEL Instrument Pre-clean Gel (Synergy Health). AZO GEL is an instrument pre-clean gel with patent-pending formulation designed for use with surgical and dental instruments. [CLICK HERE]
CartWashCheck (Healthmark). CartWashCheck is a test administered in the area of a room that is the most difficult to clean to determine whether the cart washers are effective. [CLICK HERE]
Endozime AW Triple Plus with APA (Ruhof). Endozime AW Triple Plus is a formulation of protease, amylase, lipase, carbohydrase and proprietary enzymes with advanced proteolytic action designed to remove bioburden from surgical instruments. [CLICK HERE]
Pinnacle Monitor for Automated Enzymatic Cleaning (Serim Research). The Pinnacle Monitor for Automated Enzymatic Cleaning is a cleaning verification test designed to monitor all factors critical to medical instrument cleaning, including enzymatic concentration and activity, wash cycle time, wash cycle temperature and mechanical action. [CLICK HERE]
ProEZ Foam Ready-to-Use Foaming Enzymatic Spray (Certol International). The ProEZ foam ready-to-use foaming enzymatic spray starts the cleaning process at the point of use to prevent dried soils on surgical tools. [CLICK HERE]
Pure LandingPad Protective Surface Liner (Pure Processing). The Pure LandingPad provides a soft surface to cushion endoscopes and other delicate devices in preparation for pre-cleaning. [CLICK HERE]
Single-Use / Disposable Cleaning Brushes (PriMed). PriMed's single-use disposable cleaning brushes are designed to optimize scrubbing action for endoscopes. [CLICK HERE]
Surgistain (Ruhof). Surgistain is a revitalizing solution for removing rust, pitting, stains and corrosion from stainless steel surgical instruments. [CLICK HERE]
TOSI (Healthmark). TOSI washer test is designed as a repeatable and reliable method for evaluating an automated instrument washer's cleaning effectiveness. [CLICK HERE]
Tray Belts (Cygnus Medical). The Tray Belts are designed to protect wrapped trays from external damage during sterilization, storage and transportation. [CLICK HERE]
Surgical
Alexis O Wound Protector/Retractor (Applied Medical). Alexis wound protractor/retractors provide 360 degrees of circumferential, atraumatic retraction. [CLICK HERE]
Dermabond Mini Topical Skin Adhesive (Ethicon). Dermabond Mini is a topical skin adhesive designed for healthcare professionals. [CLICK HERE]
Prevantics (PDI). Prevantics is a skin antiseptic comprising chlorhexidine gluconate and isopropyl alcohol. [CLICK HERE]
Situate Detection System (Medtronic). The Situate Detection System eliminates retained sponge incidents in the operating room. [CLICK HERE]
SurgiCount Safety-Sponge System (Stryker). Stryker's SurgiCount Safety-Sponge System helps clinicians automatically track surgical sponge use in the OR to reduce the chance of a retained surgical item. [CLICK HERE]
OR Turnover Kits (Xodus Medical). The prepackaged OR Turnover Kits include arm board covers, arm board straps, a patient lift sheet, an absorbent table cover, a mop head and bags, including a biohazard bag. [CLICK HERE]
Steriset Sterilization Containers (Medline). The full Steriset Sterilization Containers have colored lids with customized handles and ID labels designed for organization by procedure to promote best-practice standards and improve efficiency. [CLICK HERE]
Textiles
CleanPatch (Surface Medical). CleanPatch is a medical surface repair patch for hospital beds and stretchers that restores damaged mattresses to a hygienic state. [CLICK HERE]
Cupron Medical Textiles (Cupron). Cupron Medical Textiles embed copper compounds in polymers, preventing the technology from rubbing off. [CLICK HERE]
Fantex Disposable Curtains (Statina). Statina's Fantex Disposable Curtains offer an alternative to reusable curtains that require washing. [CLICK HERE]
IsoDoorCaddy (Isolation Door Caddy). The IsoDoorCaddy is designed to help reduce healthcare-acquired infections. [CLICK HERE]
LifeThreads Antimicrobial Textiles-Classic Collection (LifeThreads). LifeThreads scrubs are engineered with advanced technologies designed to inhibit the growth of unwanted bacteria directly on the fabric surface. [CLICK HERE]
PureThread (PureThread Technologies). PureThread Technologies embeds a proprietary blend of EPA-registered recycled silver salts into its core fiber to protect fabric from microbial contamination and reduce odor-causing bacteria, mold, mildew and fungus. [CLICK HERE]
Silva Clean (Applied Silva). SilvaClean is a water-based antimicrobial silver treatment designed to inhibit bacteria growth on fibers and textiles. [CLICK HERE]
SMART-FOLD Sterilization Wrap (Halyard Health). The SMART-FOLD Sterilization Wrap has POWERGUARD technology, which is 99.9 percent effective at filtering bacteria. [CLICK HERE]
X-Static (Noble Biomaterials). X-Static antimicrobial technology aims to provide healthcare professionals with comfortable and wearable fabrics that also reduce bacteria and keep garments odor free. [CLICK HERE]
Other
Baxdela (Melinta Therapeutics). Baxdela is an anionic fluoroquinolone antibiotic. [CLICK HERE]
Bio Oxygen (Bio Oxygen Australia). Bio Oxygen is an all-natural air treatment system that sterilizes the air and every surface the air touches. [CLICK HERE]
BIOlogical (HealthFirst). BIOlogical is a spores-testing kit allowing healthcare providers to mail in tests weekly for results. [CLICK HERE]
CareBag (Cleanis). CareBag is a bedpan liner with an absorbent GelMax pad designed to trap liquids upon first contact. [CLICK HERE]
Cupron Enhanced EOS Surfaces (EOScu). EOScu's Cupron Enhanced EOS Surfaces are Preventive|Biocidal Surfaces, serving as the only synthetic hard surface with EPA registration for public health claims. [CLICK HERE]
CuVerro Bactericidal Copper Products (Olin Brass). CuVerro is a solid surface with a unique class of copper that can kill 99.9 percent of harmful bacteria when cleaned regularly. [CLICK HERE]
DynaTrap (Dynamic Solutions Worldwide). DynaTrap emits UV light and carbon dioxide to attract disease-carrying mosquitoes and other predatory insects. [CLICK HERE]
Florajen3 (American Lifeline). Florajen3 is a capsule containing three probiotic cultures to help restore gut health and support the immune system. [CLICK HERE]
Nephros DSU-H (Nephros). The FDA-cleared Nephros ultrafilter produces patient washing and drinking water, as well as suitable water for wound cleansing and equipment cleaning. [CLICK HERE]
NexTemp (Medical Indicators). NexTemp is a multiple-use, single-patient clinically accurate thermometer that helps reduce healthcare-acquired infections by limiting patient-to-patient and patient-to-nurse infections. [CLICK HERE]
Steripath Initial Specimen Diversion Device (Magnolia Medical Technologies). The proprietary Steripath Initial Specimen Diversion Device for preventing blood culture contamination enables accurate sepsis testing. [CLICK HERE]
Timestrip Irreversible Blood Temperature Indicators (Timestrip). Timestrip Blood Temperature Indicators can help healthcare providers improve compliance and promote accountability during storage and transport. [CLICK HERE]
VioSafe White Light Disinfection (Vital Vio). VioSafe White Light Disinfection technology kills bacteria and harmful organisms on indoor surfaces with the help of illumination. [CLICK HERE]
Correction: This list has been updated to clarify that Halo Total-Room Disinfection System from Halosil International kills 99.9999 percent of C. difficile spores in a room. The previous version had rounded the number.