a. Boiling. Boiling is considered only when saturated steam under pressure
(autoclave) is not available. Articles should be well cleaned before boiling and then
must be totally immersed, with surfaces opened to the solution, for 30 minutes of
vigorous boiling. Needles, metal cannulas, surgical instruments, glassware (including
hypodermic syringes), and similar items may be boiled. Rubber goods may not be
boiled.
b. Chemical Disinfectants. Various chemical preparations are effective as
disinfectants. Chemical disinfectants in common use today include Cidex, Wescodyne,
isopropyl alcohol 70 percent, and certain phenol preparations specifically designed as
disinfecting solutions for inanimate objects. Materials not harmed by water will not be
harmed by disinfectant solutions of these chemicals. Use of liquid chemical disinfectant
should be severely limited to those occasions when saturated steam under pressure
(autoclave) is not available or when steam sterilization would damage articles so
processed.
(1) Instruments and supplies not adversely affected by the chemicals may
be disinfected by immersion in a solution of chemical disinfectants for the time specified
by the label on the container, by established procedure such as that of a hospital or aid
station, or by a person having knowledge of the disinfecting properties of the various
chemical solutions.
(2) When the articles have been disinfected, the treated articles must be
flushed well with sterile normal saline and dried before being used on the patient.
Except for alcohol (isopropyl 70 percent), chemicals of disinfecting strength are not
applied to the patient since they could damage the patient's skin.
c. Antiseptics. Antiseptics interfere with the growth and development of
pathogens without necessarily destroying these agents. Antiseptics are milder than
chemical disinfectants, either by nature or by strength, and may be applied directly to
patients. Antiseptics included in your aid kit are povidone-iodine topical solution and
ointment, surgical detergent 7 1/2 percent povidone, and isopropyl alcohol 70 percent.
If immediately available, an antiseptic solution may be applied around a superficial
wound when hemorrhage is not severe and when surgery, if indicated, is expected to be
delayed longer than six hours after wounding.
d. Cleansing Agents. Cleansing or skin degerming agents may include soap
and water or surgical detergent preparation and water. Mixtures of soaps or skin
detergents, with or without antiseptic properties, mechanically bind dirt, grime, and
pathogens that are then floated away with rinse water.
NOTE:
Only disinfectants, antiseptics, and detergents approved by the Infection
Control Committee (or other similar group on the local level) should be used.
MD0540
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