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November 24, 2008
Bulletin:
CDC releases 2008 Guidelines for disinfection and sterilization
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has released updated guidelines for cleaning, disinfecting and sterilizing medical devices and
for cleaning and disinfecting the environment. The last version was published
more than two decades ago in 1985. The 2008 revision has many significant changes including:
- Design of disinfection technology for use on complex medical, equipment e.g., endoscopes
- Efficacy of products on newer pathogens, e.g., Norovirus, SARS
- New products, e.g., hydrogen peroxide, peracetic acid, and combinations of both
- Eliminated products, e.g., iodophors, as high level disinfectants, due to lack of efficacy against bacterial spores. (Note: iodophors are still effective antiseptics)
- Reduction of exposure time for high-level disinfection, down to five minutes for some formulations (e.g., ortho-phthalaldehyde) under specific conditions
- Confirmation of lack of any evidence that disinfectants are becoming resistant to organisms, similar to what we see with antibiotics used on patients
Bleach dilutions clarified with household measurement terms
The glossary in the CDC guidelines provides bleach dilutions using household measurement terms and equivalent parts per million (ppm) that can be used to translate recommendations for use in the patient care setting for environmental decontamination after cleaning, e.g., for
Clostridium difficile. The Safety Institute has expanded the information to include the use of chlorine bleach as a sanitizing agent in dietary settings consistent with EPA U.S Govt regulations (21 CFR Part 178).
Bleach
Solution |
Dilution
Exact |
Chlorine
(ppm) |
Dilution
approximate |
Household
(ppm)
Approximate |
Application |
| 5.25% - 6.15% |
Concentrate |
52,500 -
61,500 |
Concentrate |
52,500 -
61,500 |
*Patient Care |
| 5.25% - 6.15% |
1:10 |
5,250 -
6,150 |
1.5 cups / 1 gallon |
~6000 |
*Patient Care |
| 5.25% - 6.15% |
1:100 |
525-615 |
0.25 cup / 1 gallon |
~600 |
*Patient Care |
| 5.25% |
1:200 |
263 |
1 tablespoon / 1 gallon |
<200 |
Dietary |
| 5.25% - 6.15% |
1:1000 |
53-62 |
1 teaspoon / 1 gallon |
~50 |
Dietary |
* See specific recommendations in Guidelines
Download guidelines
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