Page updated 30 September 2006
Disinfection - Safety Notes
Staff Protection
Avoid eye and skin contact with all disinfectant solutions. Wear gloves when handling or preparing disinfectants. Irrigate eye splashes with sterile water or saline as soon as possible if accidentally exposed to these agents. Wash off skin splashes under running water. If contact or injury occurs, report immediately to the Occupational Health Department or Accident and Emergency Department for advice. Complete an Incident Form.
Gluaraldehyde
The use of glutaraldehyde has virtually ceased. Glutaraldehyde use is restricted to properly ventilated, approved areas by trained staff.
Chlorine
Because spillage of body fluids may occur in any clinical area, staff must take special precautions when using CRA (e.g. Haztab granules). Splashing may occur and there is intense release of free chlorine. Staff must wear proper protective clothing including eye protection and heavy duty domestic quality gloves. The area should be ventilated as far as possible and staff and patients kept away until the spillage is cleared up.
NOTE: It is dangerous to put chlorine releasing granules on a large liquid volume spill such as urine.
See Spillage Policy
Patient Protection
When used for skin preparation before surgery, extreme care has to be taken to make sure that alcoholic disinfectant solutions are not used in excess and do not pool behind the patient's body. There have instances of severe burns arising from igniting alcohol by thermocautery.
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