Principles of Disinfectant Use and Safety Operation in Medical Facilities During Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Outbreak

Gen Takagi,Kazuyoshi Yagishita

doi:10.1007/s42399-020-00413-x

Abstract

Medical collapse became a major concern under coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak; prevention of medical accidents is essential during disinfection either. The objective of this review is to enhance the awareness regarding the safety aspects towards infection prevention practices and to offer solutions for safe patient care practices including side effects of disinfectants and precaution in specific medical facilities especially in hemodialysis rooms, intensive care unit, hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBO) chambers, or patient transport vehicle. Literature was researched that was obtained from studies of human coronavirus infections, including the severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) and the Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS), and created a summary of the characteristics of these disinfectants. This review is not intended to replace infection prevention policies and procedures established by hospitals, and manufacturers, but to provide some update confidence in the safety measures that each medical facility already uses and to offer additional input that should optimally reduce the risk of infection.

Highlights

The novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARSCoV-2)
As human coronaviruses can remain infectious on inanimate surfaces for several days [1], surface disinfection with chemicals is inevitable
Inadequate use of disinfectants causes side effects to the medical staff, and inadequate use in poor ventilation may result in fire, gas poisoning, explosion, or equipment corrosion

Summary

Introduction

The novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARSCoV-2). Inadequate use of disinfectants causes side effects to the medical staff, and inadequate use in poor ventilation may result in fire, gas poisoning, explosion, or equipment corrosion. Flammable disinfectants under oxygen use may cause an explosion triggered by static electricity or excessive heat; poisoning may occur with gas producible disinfectants under poor ventilation.

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Results

Conclusion