While Ebola is a highly infectious, enveloped virus, it is believed to be susceptible to a broad range of hospital disinfectants.
In its "Interim Guidance for Environmental Infection Control in Hospitals for Ebola Virus," the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention notes there are no products with "specific label claims against the Ebola virus" and recommends using a disinfectant with a "higher potency than what is normally required for an enveloped virus."
So, what should infection preventionists consider when choosing the right disinfectant for Ebola? Several manufacturers are working to "provide the best collective response" to Ebola, says Kedar Patel, the product manager of disinfectants for Contec. "We want to make sure the healthcare settings are properly armed to deal with it."
Mr. Patel recommends infection preventionists look at the following four factors when choosing a surface disinfectant to prepare for a possible Ebola patient:
1. Product efficacy. In line with CDC recommendations and now the Environmental Protection Agency's List L, the product should be effective at killing non-enveloped viruses, like norovirus or rotavirus, and should work with the chosen applicators (i.e. wipes, mops, pads, etc.) without impacting the active ingredients.
2. Dwell time. According to Mr. Patel, the dwell time should be an achievable contact time, like five minutes or less, to keep a surface visibly wet in accordance with the disinfectant label's instructions and to reduce employee exposure to potentially contaminated areas.
3. Ease of use. Mr. Patel says, "When applying disinfectants, disposable wipes or single-use microfiber products are easier to use for many hospitals because they reduce the potential for cross-contamination associated with laundered items. Using disposables is a cleaner, safer option, and reduces the dependence on laundry services in general. Our customers find this is especially important when a hospital laundry is out of service for any length of time."
4. Simplicity of routine. Healthcare professionals should make sure that their employees, the supply closet and the infection prevention cart work in tandem with the organization's normal routine. Establishing an orderly cleaning and disinfecting routine with as few variables as possible improves the effectiveness of hospitals' infection control processes.