Hygiene and disinfection in the hospital

Abstract

The environment, both animate and inanimate, is a basic element of the epidemiological chain of the nosocomial transmission of infections. Disinfection of floors and surfaces, as well as of the instruments and materials used in daily clinical practice, are the primary tool in the fight against the transmission of these infections. Prior cleansing, the indispensable condition for subsequent disinfection, must be carried out in a way that guarantees the result of the process. In a complementary way, washing hands is one of the most important practices of antisepsis, since the hands are the principal vehicle for the transmission of nosocomial infection. This paper reviews the concepts related with hygiene and disinfection in the hospital, such as asepsis, antisepsis, levels of disinfection, classification of antiseptics and disinfectants, etc. The importance of washing hands is also recalled. The basic principles for the cleaning and disinfection of floors, surfaces and materials are set out, and a brief review is made of the disinfectants most frequently used in high level disinfection.