The Difference Between Cleaning, Disinfecting, and Sterilizing

Your housekeeping staff just asked a simple question: “Should I clean or disinfect this?”

You paused. Because honestly, what’s the difference?

Then your IPAC lead mentioned something about sterilization during the staff meeting. Now you’re really confused.

Here’s the thing: these three terms get used all the time. Even in healthcare settings where precision matters. But they’re not the same. Not even close.

And using the wrong method at the wrong time? That’s how infections happen. It’s how inspections get failed. It’s how outbreaks start.

So let’s clear this up once and for all. No complicated microbiology lectures. No academic jargon. Just straightforward explanations of what each process does, when you use it, and how to get it right.

Whether you’re running a dental clinic, managing a long-term care facility, or overseeing a veterinary hospital, this knowledge is fundamental to keeping people safe.

The Three Levels: What Actually Happens

Think of these as a spectrum. From least aggressive to most thorough.

Cleaning removes visible dirt, debris, and some microorganisms from surfaces. You’re physically taking things off. Soap and water. Scrubbing. Wiping. It reduces the number of germs but doesn’t kill them.

Disinfecting kills most disease-causing microorganisms on surfaces. Not all of them, but bacterial spores often survive. But most bacteria, viruses, and fungi? Gone. This requires chemical products or sometimes heat.

Sterilizing destroys all microbial life. Everything. Bacteria, viruses, fungi, and even tough bacterial spores. It’s complete elimination. This is the highest level of microbial control possible.

Each level has its place. The key is matching the method to what you’re actually trying to accomplish.

Cleaning: The Foundation Everything Else Builds On

Let’s start with cleaning because it’s more important than most people realize.

You can’t skip straight to disinfection or sterilization. Well, you can try. But it won’t work effectively.

Here’s why: Organic material blood, saliva, feces, food residue protects microorganisms from disinfectants and sterilants. It creates a physical barrier. Your disinfectant might be perfect, but if it can’t reach the organisms hiding under debris, those organisms survive.

Cleaning comes first. Always.

What Cleaning Actually Removes

When you clean properly, you’re removing:

• Visible soil and debris
• Organic material (blood, body fluids, food)
• Many (but not all) microorganisms
• Biofilm—that slimy layer where bacteria love to hide
• Dust and environmental contaminants

The mechanical action matters as much as the product. Scrubbing dislodges organisms. Wiping removes them. Rinsing washes them away.

Cleaning Products and Methods

Basic cleaning uses:

• Soap and water (often sufficient for low-risk surfaces)
• Detergents (more effective at cutting through grease and organic material)
• Enzymatic cleaners (break down proteins, excellent for medical instruments)
• Mechanical action (scrubbing, wiping, ultrasonic cleaning)

Temperature helps. Warm water cleans better than cold. But you don’t need extreme heat for basic cleaning.

When Cleaning Alone Is Enough

Some surfaces only need cleaning, not disinfection:

• Floors in non-patient areas
• Walls and ceilings (unless visibly contaminated)
• Furniture in low-risk areas
• Windows and mirrors
• Most office spaces

This surprises people. We’ve become so focused on “killing germs” that we forget mechanical removal often suffices.

A clean hospital floor looks clean and has reduced microbial load. Does it need to be sterile? Of course not. People walk on it with outdoor shoes.

Context matters. Save disinfectants for where they’re actually needed.

Disinfecting: Killing Most (But Not All) Microorganisms

Disinfection steps things up. Now you’re actively killing pathogens.

But here’s what many people miss: disinfection has levels, too.

The Three Levels of Disinfection

Low-level disinfection kills most bacteria, some viruses, and some fungi. It doesn’t kill bacterial spores or mycobacteria. Use this for surfaces with minimal infection risk.

Common products: Quaternary ammonium compounds (quats), some phenolics, diluted bleach

Intermediate-level disinfection kills mycobacteria, most viruses, most fungi, and vegetative bacteria. Still doesn’t kill bacterial spores. Use this for surfaces that contact intact skin or have a moderate contamination risk.

Common products: Alcohol (70-90%), improved hydrogen peroxide, some phenolics

High-level disinfection kills all microorganisms except large numbers of bacterial spores. It’s almost sterilization, but not quite. Use this for heat-sensitive medical equipment that contacts mucous membranes.

Common products: Glutaraldehyde, ortho-phthalaldehyde (OPA), peracetic acid, high-concentration hydrogen peroxide

Critical Factors for Effective Disinfection

Disinfection isn’t just about the product. Multiple variables affect whether it actually works.

Contact time is crucial. That number on the label—1 minute, 3 minutes, 10 minutes—isn’t a suggestion. It’s the minimum time the disinfectant must remain wet on the surface to kill the organisms it claims to kill.

Spraying and immediately wiping? You just cleaned, not disinfected. The surface looks clean, but organisms may still be viable.

Concentration matters. Dilute products according to the manufacturer’s instructions exactly. Too weak and organisms survive. Too strong wastes product may damage surfaces or create safety hazards.

Surface preparation means you clean first. We already covered this, but it bears repeating because it’s the most common mistake.

Product compatibility with the surface matters. Some disinfectants corrode metal. Some damage to plastics. Some leave residues. Check compatibility before using new products on equipment.

Temperature and humidity affect some products. Read the label. Some disinfectants work poorly in cold environments.

Common Disinfection Scenarios

Environmental surfaces in healthcare settings: Bedrails, doorknobs, light switches, bathroom fixtures. Use low-to-intermediate level disinfection. Clean first, then apply disinfectant with appropriate contact time.

Blood or body fluid spills: Use intermediate-to-high level disinfection depending on spill volume and risk. Bleach solutions work well here (1:10 dilution for large spills, 1:100 for small splashes).

Shared equipment between patients: Stethoscopes, blood pressure cuffs, thermometers (non-critical ones). Intermediate-level disinfection between patients.

Dental unit waterlines: Specific protocols using products designed for waterline disinfection. This prevents biofilm buildup and reduces bacterial counts.

Veterinary exam tables: Between patients, especially if contaminated with blood, urine, or feces. Intermediate-level disinfection after cleaning.

Sterilization: Complete Elimination

Now we’re at the highest level. Destruction of all microbial life.

Sterilization isn’t needed for everything. It’s specifically required for items that penetrate sterile body tissues or the vascular system.

When Sterilization Is Required

Critical items must be sterilized. These include:

• Surgical instruments
• Dental scalers and extraction forceps
• Needles and syringes (though most are single-use now)
• Implants
• Biopsy instruments
• Any device entering sterile tissue or the bloodstream

There’s no negotiation here. Critical items require sterilization. High-level disinfection isn’t sufficient, even if someone insists, “We’ve always done it that way.”

Sterilization Methods

Several methods exist, each with specific applications.

Steam sterilization (autoclaving) uses high-pressure steam at 121-134°C. It’s the most common, reliable, and cost-effective method for heat-stable items. Advantages: Fast, non-toxic, effective, inexpensive. Limitations: Can’t use on heat-sensitive items, may corrode some metals, and moisture damages some materials.

Dry heat sterilization uses hot air at 160-180°C for extended periods. Good for items that can’t get wet (powders, oils) or would corrode with steam. Limitations: Long cycle times, high temperatures damage many materials, less efficient than steam.

Chemical sterilization uses liquid chemicals (glutaraldehyde, peracetic acid, hydrogen peroxide) for extended contact times often 3-12 hours. Use this for heat-sensitive items. Limitations: Long processing times, toxic to humans (require ventilation and PPE), difficult to validate, and items must be rinsed before use.

Low-temperature gas sterilization uses ethylene oxide or hydrogen peroxide gas plasma. Excellent for heat- and moisture-sensitive items like electronics and plastics. Limitations: Expensive equipment, long cycle times, ethylene oxide is toxic and requires extensive aeration, limited to facilities with specialized equipment.

Radiation sterilization uses ionizing radiation. This is almost always done commercially, not in healthcare facilities. Single-use medical devices get sterilized this way before packaging.

For most healthcare facilities, steam sterilization is the workhorse. It’s what you’ll use 90% of the time.

Critical Steps for Effective Sterilization

Sterilization is a process, not just putting something in the autoclave.

Step 1: Point-of-use treatment. Immediately after use, rinse instruments or keep them moist. Don’t let organic material dry it becomes much harder to remove later.

Step 2: Cleaning. Thoroughly clean instruments before sterilization. Use enzymatic detergents, ultrasonic cleaners, or manual scrubbing. Inspect to ensure all debris is gone.

Step 3: Drying. Instruments must be completely dry before packaging (for steam sterilization of wrapped items) to prevent wet packs and potential contamination.

Step 4: Inspection. Check for damage, functionality, and cleanliness. Damaged instruments can’t be sterilized effectively and shouldn’t be used.

Step 5: Packaging. Use appropriate sterilization wrap, pouches, or containers. Packaging protects sterility after sterilization until use.

Step 6: Sterilization. Load the autoclave correctly (don’t overload), run the appropriate cycle, and verify indicators show proper processing.

Step 7: Drying and cooling. Allow adequate drying time. Handle packages carefully to avoid tears or moisture.

Step 8: Storage. Store sterilized items in clean, dry areas. Check package integrity before use.

Step 9: Monitoring. Use biological indicators (spore tests) regularly to verify that the sterilizer is actually killing organisms, not just getting hot.

Skip any step, and you’ve compromised the entire process.

Matching Method to Equipment: The Spaulding Classification

Dr. Earle Spaulding developed a classification system in the 1960s that’s still used today. It categorizes equipment based on infection risk and dictates appropriate reprocessing.

Critical Items

These penetrate sterile tissue or enter the vascular system.

Examples: Surgical instruments, biopsy forceps, dental extraction forceps, implants, needles

Required processing: Sterilization

No exceptions. Critical items must be sterilized between each use.

Semi-Critical Items

These contact mucous membranes or non-intact skin, but don’t penetrate.

Examples: Respiratory therapy equipment, endoscopes, dental impression trays, vaginal speculums, laryngoscope blades

Required processing: High-level disinfection minimum; sterilization preferred when possible

Most facilities sterilize semi-critical items when heat-stable because it’s simpler from a compliance standpoint. Heat-sensitive semi-critical items require validated high-level disinfection.

Non-Critical Items

These contact only intact skin, which is an effective barrier.

Examples: Blood pressure cuffs, stethoscopes, bedpans, furniture, floors

Required processing: Low-to-intermediate level disinfection

Some non-critical items only need cleaning if they’re not contaminated with blood or body fluids.

This classification seems simple. Yet we constantly see facilities making classification errors.

An instrument that enters the mouth below the gumline? That’s penetrating tissue, it’s critical, requiring sterilization. Yet some dental clinics still disinfect these items instead of sterilizing them. That’s wrong and risky.

When in doubt, classify up. There’s no penalty for over-processing. There are serious consequences for under-processing.

Common Mistakes That Compromise Safety

Let’s talk about what goes wrong. These errors happen in healthcare facilities every day.

Mistake 1: Skipping the Cleaning Step

Someone grabs the disinfectant wipes and cleans visibly soiled instruments. They think they’re disinfecting. They’re not, at least not effectively.

Organic material protects microorganisms from disinfectants. You must clean first, then disinfect.

Mistake 2: Inadequate Contact Time

Staff spray disinfectant and immediately wipe it off. The surface looks clean, but organisms survive because the product didn’t have time to work.

Read the label. Set timers if necessary. Train staff on why contact time matters.

Mistake 3: Using the Wrong Product for the Task

Not all disinfectants kill all organisms. Using a product effective against bacteria but not viruses during a viral outbreak accomplishes nothing.

Match the product to the organisms you need to kill and the surface you’re treating.

Mistake 4: Improper Dilution

Diluting disinfectants incorrectly is surprisingly common. Too weak and you’re wasting time. Too strong wastes product creates safety hazards.

Use measured dispensing systems when possible. Train staff on proper dilution. Test concentration regularly.

Mistake 5: Overloading the Autoclave

Cramming instruments into the autoclave prevents steam circulation. Items in the center may not reach the proper temperature or steam exposure.

Follow manufacturer guidelines on load configuration. Less is more when it comes to autoclave loading.

Mistake 6: Poor Packaging

Instruments wrapped too tightly prevent steam penetration. Packages with holes compromise sterility. Using the wrong packaging material prevents sterilization.

Inspect packages before and after sterilization. Replace damaged wrap immediately.

Mistake 7: Inadequate Monitoring

Running the autoclave without regular biological indicator testing means you don’t actually know if sterilization is occurring.

Test weekly minimum. Test every load for implantables. Document everything.

Mistake 8: Ignoring Manufacturer Instructions

Every piece of equipment, every chemical product, every sterilizer has manufacturer’s instructions for use (IFU). These aren’t suggestions.

Ignoring IFU creates liability. “We’ve always done it this way” doesn’t hold up when someone gets infected because protocols weren’t followed.

Product Selection: Making Smart Choices

Walk into any supply catalogue, and you’ll find dozens of disinfectants. How do you choose?

Key Selection Criteria

Spectrum of activity: What organisms does it kill? Bacteria? Viruses? Fungi? Spores? Match this to your needs.

Contact time: Shorter contact times improve workflow and compliance. A 1-minute product will be used more consistently than a 10-minute product.

Safety profile: Toxicity matters. Products requiring extensive PPE or special ventilation create barriers to proper use.

Surface compatibility: Will it damage your equipment or surfaces? Corrosion, discoloration, and material breakdown cause expensive problems.

Ease of use: One-step products that clean and disinfect improve compliance. Complex dilution requirements create errors.

Cost: Both product cost and cost per use matter. Concentrated products requiring dilution may be cheaper per use than ready-to-use formulations, but only if staff dilute them correctly.

Environmental impact: Some facilities prioritize products with lower environmental toxicity. This matters more as sustainability becomes a healthcare priority.

Regulatory approval: In Canada, disinfectants need Drug Identification Numbers (DIN). This means Health Canada has reviewed and approved them.

Popular Product Categories

Quaternary ammonium compounds (quats) are widely used for low-level disinfection. They’re relatively non-toxic, clean well, and have residual antimicrobial activity. Limitations include a narrow spectrum (poor against some viruses and mycobacteria) and potential for bacterial resistance.

Alcohol (isopropyl or ethyl) is excellent for intermediate-level disinfection. Fast-acting, broad-spectrum, and non-corrosive to metals. Limitations include flammability, evaporation (hard to maintain contact time), and no cleaning ability.

Bleach (sodium hypochlorite) is inexpensive, fast-acting, and broad-spectrum. Great for spills and environmental disinfection. Limitations include corrosiveness, short shelf life once diluted, and strong odor.

Improved hydrogen peroxide (also called accelerated hydrogen peroxide) is increasingly popular. Broad spectrum, relatively safe, breaks down to water and oxygen. Good cleaning ability. Limitations include potential material compatibility issues and cost.

Phenolics are effective intermediate-level disinfectants with broad spectrum and residual activity. Limitations include toxicity concerns and incompatibility with some surfaces.

No single product is perfect for everything. Most facilities use multiple products for different applications.

Documentation and Compliance

Let’s talk about the paperwork. Because when inspectors arrive, they want proof you’re doing things correctly.

What to Document

For sterilization:

• Every autoclave cycle (date, time, load contents, operator)
• Mechanical indicators (temperature, pressure, time reached)
• Chemical indicators for each package or load
• Biological indicator results (weekly minimum)
• Maintenance and repairs
• Staff training and competency validation

For disinfection:

• Product name and DIN
• Dilution instructions and who performed the dilution
• Concentration testing results (for reusable solutions)
• Expiration dates and product rotation
• Contact times used
• Staff training on proper use

For environmental cleaning:

• Frequency schedules
• Products used
• Staff assignments
• Completion verification
• Audit results

This seems like a lot. It is. But missing documentation during an inspection creates problems even when your actual practices are fine.

“We always clean properly,” but without documentation won’t satisfy inspectors or protect you in litigation.

Creating Sustainable Systems

Don’t build documentation systems so complex that nobody uses them.

Simple checklists work better than elaborate logs. Electronic systems with automatic data capture (from autoclaves, for example) reduce manual documentation burden.

Assign clear responsibility. Who checks that biological indicators are run weekly? Who verifies disinfectant dilution? Accountability prevents tasks from being forgotten.

Review documentation regularly. Monthly chart checks catch missing information while it’s still correctable.

Train new staff on documentation requirements from day one. Make it part of the workflow, not an afterthought.

Special Considerations for Different Settings

Different healthcare environments face unique challenges.

Dental Clinics

Dental instruments span all three categories. Scalers and forceps are critical. Impression trays are semi-critical. Light handles are non-critical.

Challenge: High volume of instruments requiring rapid turnaround. Solution: Adequate instrument inventory and efficient sterilization workflow.

Challenge: Waterline biofilm. Solution: Regular waterline disinfection protocols and monitoring.

Challenge: Aerosol-generating procedures contaminate environmental surfaces. Solution: Enhanced cleaning protocols and surface barriers when appropriate.

Long-Term Care Facilities

Residents live here. Aggressive disinfection everywhere isn’t realistic or necessary.

Challenge: Balancing infection control with a homelike environment. Solution: Risk-based approaches focusing disinfection on high-touch surfaces and contaminated areas.

Challenge: Shared equipment between residents. Solution: Clean and disinfect between uses; dedicate equipment to high-risk residents when possible.

Challenge: Limited access to sterilization equipment. Solution: Ensure critical items are sent to properly equipped reprocessing facilities or use validated disposables.

Veterinary Hospitals

Animal pathogens differ from human pathogens, affecting product selection.

Challenge: Heavy organic contamination (fur, feces, blood). Solution: Thorough cleaning before disinfection; products effective in the presence of organic load.

Challenge: Zoonotic disease risks. Solution: Appropriate precautions for diseases transmissible to humans; proper PPE.

Challenge: Variable client compliance with home care. Solution: Clear discharge instructions on cleaning and disinfecting home environments after infectious diseases.

Retirement Homes

Independent residents with private suites have different needs than nursing home residents.

Challenge: Less direct care means potentially less attention to infection control. Solution: Environmental services training and monitoring; resident education on hand hygiene.

Challenge: Communal kitchens and dining areas. Solution: Food safety protocols alongside surface disinfection and regular training.

Training Your Team Effectively

Knowledge doesn’t help if staff don’t actually apply it.

Adult Learning Principles

Adults learn best when information is relevant and immediately applicable. Skip lengthy lectures on microbiology. Focus on “here’s what you do and why.”

Hands-on practice beats passive listening. Demonstrate proper technique. Watch staff perform tasks. Correct errors immediately.

Explain consequences. “If we don’t clean before disinfecting, organisms survive, and patients risk infection” is more motivating than “policy requires cleaning first.”

Role-Specific Training

Housekeeping staff need detailed environmental cleaning protocols. Which products for which surfaces? Cleaning frequencies. How to verify completion.

Clinical staff need instrument reprocessing training. Classification systems. Sterilization monitoring. Documentation requirements.

Everyone needs hand hygiene training because that’s foundational, regardless of role.

Competency Validation

Training completion doesn’t equal competency. Observe staff actually performing tasks.

Can housekeeping staff correctly dilute disinfectants? Are they allowing proper contact times? Do they understand the difference between cleaning and disinfecting?

Can clinical staff properly load the autoclave? Do they understand biological indicator results? Can they classify instruments correctly?

Document competency assessment. Annual skills validation catches drift before problems develop.

When Expert Guidance Makes Sense

Some situations benefit from external IPAC expertise.

You’re setting up a new clinic or facility and developing reprocessing protocols from scratch. Getting it right initially prevents costly corrections later.

Inspection found deficiencies in your cleaning, disinfection, or sterilization practices. You need rapid assessment and correction to satisfy regulators.

You’re implementing new equipment or procedures and aren’t sure about appropriate reprocessing methods.

Staff turnover has created knowledge gaps and inconsistent practices.

You want an objective assessment of current practices to identify improvement opportunities before problems arise.

At Infection Shield, we help Canadian healthcare facilities develop practical reprocessing protocols. We understand equipment realities, budget constraints, and regulatory requirements across provinces.

We don’t deliver theoretical protocols that look good on paper but fail in practice. We build sustainable systems that your team can actually implement consistently.

Getting This Right Matters

The difference between cleaning, disinfecting, and sterilizing isn’t academic trivia. It’s the foundation of infection prevention.

Use the wrong method, and infections happen. People get sick. Outbreaks occur. Facilities face regulatory action.

Use the right method, and you’re protecting patients, staff, and visitors. You’re meeting professional standards. You’re building a culture of safety.

This doesn’t require perfection. It requires clarity about what each process accomplishes, when to use which method, and consistent execution of proper techniques.

Clean first, always. Disinfect when you need to kill organisms. Sterilize critical items that penetrate tissue.

Match products to tasks. Follow contact times. Monitor effectiveness. Train staff thoroughly. Document everything.

These aren’t complicated concepts. But they require attention, resources, and commitment.

Your patients deserve no less. Your staff deserve clear protocols. Your facility deserves to operate without infection control crises.

Start with solid understanding. Build proper protocols. Train competently. Execute consistently.

And when you need support, reach out. We’re here to help ensure your reprocessing practices protect everyone.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I disinfect first and then clean afterward?

No. This is backward and ineffective. Organic material (blood, saliva, debris) protects microorganisms from disinfectants by creating a physical barrier. You must clean first to remove this material, then disinfect. Think of it like painting you wouldn’t paint over dirt and expect good results. The sequence always goes: clean, then disinfect (or sterilize for critical items).

How do I know if my disinfectant is still working after dilution?

Test it. Many disinfectants come with test strips that measure active ingredient concentration. Test diluted solutions daily at a minimum, and immediately if you suspect contamination or improper dilution. Solutions lose effectiveness over time through evaporation, contamination, or breakdown. Most diluted disinfectants should be prepared fresh daily. Some concentrated products remain stable longer, but check manufacturer guidelines. When in doubt, make a fresh batch.

Is hand sanitizer considered cleaning, disinfecting, or sterilizing?

Alcohol-based hand sanitizer is a disinfectant. It kills most microorganisms on hands but doesn’t remove visible dirt or debris, which is why you should use soap and water when hands are visibly soiled. Hand sanitizer doesn’t sterilize (it doesn’t kill all spores). It’s an intermediate-level disinfection method. This is why hand hygiene protocols specify washing with soap and water after using the bathroom or when hands are dirty, but allow alcohol-based hand rub for most other hand hygiene moments.

Can I use household bleach instead of healthcare-grade disinfectants?

Yes, in certain situations. Diluted household bleach (sodium hypochlorite) is effective for environmental disinfection and blood/body fluid spills when properly diluted. Use a 1:10 dilution (1 part bleach to 9 parts water) for large spills or heavily contaminated surfaces, or a 1:100 dilution for routine disinfection. However, bleach corrodes metals, damages some fabrics, has a strong odor, and the solution loses potency quickly once diluted (make it fresh daily). It’s not appropriate for all surfaces or equipment. Healthcare-grade disinfectants offer better material compatibility and convenience for routine use.

How often should I run biological indicators in my autoclave?

At a minimum, weekly for routine sterilization loads. However, regulations vary by province and healthcare setting. For implantable items (anything that will be implanted in a patient’s body), run biological indicators with every load and wait for negative results before releasing items for use. Also, test after autoclave repairs or if you suspecta malfunction. More frequent testing provides additional assurance. Biological indicators are the only way to confirm actual spore kill is occurring—mechanical and chemical indicators show conditions were met, but not that sterilization happened.

What’s the difference between terminal cleaning and daily cleaning?

Daily cleaning is routine maintenance, including wiping surfaces, mopping floors, emptying trash, and cleaning bathrooms. It keeps spaces functional and reduces microbial load. Terminal cleaning is a thorough, comprehensive cleaning done when a patient/resident is discharged or when isolation precautions are discontinued. Everything gets cleaned: all surfaces, furniture, equipment, walls, curtains, vents. It’s deeper and more time-consuming. Terminal cleaning prepares the space for the next occupant and prevents the transmission of organisms from previous occupants.

Do I really need to clean something before putting it in the autoclave?

Absolutely yes. Organic material protects microorganisms from steam penetration. It also damages the autoclave over time as debris bakes onto heating elements. Inadequately cleaned instruments may appear sterile after autoclaving but can harbor viable organisms beneath debris. This is a critical error we see frequently—rushing instruments into the autoclave without proper cleaning. The cleaning step is not optional. It’s essential for effective sterilization and equipment longevity.

Can something be “too clean” or “over-sterilized”?

You can’t over-sterilize from a microbiological standpoint; sterilization means all organisms are dead, and making them “more dead” isn’t possible. However, excessive sterilization cycles can damage instruments through repeated heat exposure, causing corrosion, dulling of cutting edges, or material degradation. The real question is efficiency: sterilizing items that only need disinfection wastes time, energy, and causes unnecessary instrument wear. Match the reprocessing level to the infection risk. As for “too clean,” excessive disinfection of environmental surfaces (like floors) provides no additional safety and wastes resources while potentially increasing chemical exposure risks for staff.

What should I do if I discover an instrument wasn’t properly sterilized but was already used on a patient?

This requires immediate action. First, quarantine the remaining instruments from that load. Don’t use them. Document what happened, when, and which patients were potentially affected. Notify your infection control lead or administrator immediately. Conduct a risk assessment based on the procedure performed and level of invasiveness. Your facility may need to notify affected patients and offer testing for bloodborne pathogens, depending on the circumstances. Investigate why the sterilization failure occurred and implement corrective actions. Document everything thoroughly. This is serious but manageable with an appropriate response.

Are “disinfectant wipes” actually disinfecting or just cleaning?

It depends on the product and how you use it. True disinfectant wipes contain EPA or Health Canada-approved disinfectant chemicals and will have a Drug Identification Number (DIN) in Canada. They can disinfect IF you allow proper contact time (check the label, usually 1-4 minutes of wet contact time). Many people wipe and immediately dry, which means they’re only cleaning, not disinfecting. Also, wipes don’t clean heavily soiled surfaces effectively, so you may need to clean first with a separate wipe, then disinfect with a fresh wipe. Baby wipes, glass cleaner wipes, and general “cleaning wipes” are not disinfectants; they only remove dirt.

My dental/medical equipment manufacturer says to use a specific disinfectant. Do I have to follow that?

Yes. Manufacturer Instructions for Use (IFU) must be followed. Using different products may void warranties, damage equipment, and create liability if infections occur. Manufacturers test compatibility and effectiveness with specific products. If their recommended product is unavailable or unsuitable for your setting, contact the manufacturer to discuss alternatives. Don’t just substitute. This applies to reprocessing methods too; if the IFU says autoclave at specific settings, don’t alter the cycle parameters. Following the IFU is not optional from regulatory, legal, and safety perspectives.