Exploring the Growing Use of Disinfectors and the Reasons behind It

An article recently published in the Annals of Internal Medicine by a team of researchers at the University of Pennsylvania brings to our notice that even with countless studies being conducted on surface disinfection in healthcare settings, some of the most significant questions remain unanswered. 

Healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) are among the leading causes of death as well as illness worldwide, the article states, citing data derived from the New England Journal of Medicine. An estimated 721,800 HAIs resulting in 75,000 deaths were reported in the US in 2011. Environmental cleaning and disinfecting, antimicrobial stewardship, and hand hygiene practices are vital in preventing infections and reducing the risk of HAIs, the article reveals. However, what remains to be clarified is how to monitor and measure cleaning and disinfecting methods and what the appropriate benchmarks for cleanliness are. 

Browse Market Research Report of Disinfectors Market: http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/disinfectors-market.html

As the need escalates to curb HAIs and other infections in multiple settings, the demand for disinfectors such as flushers, washers, and endoscope reprocessors grows. The rising demand for disinfectors from pharmaceutical and life-sciences companies, clinics and hospitals, and elder care facilities is likely to boost the global disinfectors market, according to a report by Transparency Market Research. The report indicates that developing at a strong CAGR of 10.20%, the market for disinfectors is poised to rise from US$1.6 bn in 2013 to US$3.1 bn by 2020.

CDC and FDA on the Need to Disinfect Reusable Medical Devices 

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have time and again drawn the attention of healthcare facilities and providers to the need to clean, sterilize, disinfect, and maintain reusable medical devices. Lapses in infection control or non-compliance with recommended procedures can prove to be critical to patient safety. 

Browse Market Research Press Release of Disinfectors Market: http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/pressrelease/disinfectors-market.htm

The following recommendations have been made by the FDA and the CDC on the use of disinfectors in hospital settings:

• Healthcare facilities need to provide the necessary training on the use of disinfectors to all personnel involved in the reprocessing of medical devices
• Healthcare facilities need to regularly monitor and document adherence to medical device disinfection, cleaning, sterilization, and storage procedures 
• Adequate time should be given by healthcare facilities for reprocessing and disinfecting medical devices in order to ensure strict adherence to recommendations by the device manufacturers
• Healthcare personnel need to have sufficient training to be able to readily identify if a device has been properly reprocessed or disinfected and is ready for patient use. 

Latest Development in the Disinfection of Leafy Greens

Disinfection is critical not only in hospital settings but even in the food and beverages industry. Commercial food processing facilities often risk cross contamination, especially in the case of fresh leafy vegetables. Greens are washed via commercial processes before they are headed to the grocery store. However, 100% disinfection is still not possible and scientists say that food-borne illnesses from leafy greens stem from disinfection issues.

Researchers at the University of California have found that using an inexpensive titanium dioxide photocatalyst to rinse leafy greens or coat equipment surfaces that are in contact with the leaves kills harmful bacteria.

Research and development efforts such as these are vital to the growth of the disinfectors market and initiatives by national institutes and leading companies will go a long way in preventing HAIs and food-borne illnesses.