Cross-infection is one of the serious threats in healthcare services. This infection occurs when pathogenic microorganisms move from one patient to another, or from the environment and equipment to patients. Medical equipment and surfaces that are not properly disinfected can become sources of bacterial, viral, or fungal transmission. The impact of cross-infection not only increases morbidity and mortality rates but also causes additional costs for healthcare facilities and patients.

Disinfection of equipment and the environment is an important step in preventing cross-infection. One product that is effective and widely used is Umonium 38, which offers broad protection against various pathogens while being safe for various types of surfaces.

1. Causes of Cross-Infection

Cross-infection can occur through several routes:
• Direct contact between patients and healthcare workers.
• Indirect contact through contaminated medical equipment, such as stethoscopes, thermometers, or examination tables.
• Contamination of environmental surfaces, such as tables, chairs, or medical aids.

Risk factors increase when cleaning procedures are inconsistent, staff lack understanding of disinfection standards, or the products used are ineffective against pathogens.

2. Effects of Cross-Infection

Cross-infection can cause serious consequences, including:
• Spread of infectious diseases among patients.
• Prolonged treatment periods and increased hospital or healthcare facility costs.
• Decreased patient trust in healthcare services.
• Risks to healthcare workers who handle contaminated patients or equipment.

3. The Role of Disinfectants in Prevention

Effective disinfectants are key to breaking the chain of cross-infection. Their main roles include:
• Killing or inactivating bacteria, viruses, and fungi on equipment and surfaces.
• Reducing the risk of cross-contamination between patients and healthcare workers.
• Ensuring the environment remains hygienic and safe for healthcare services.

Umonium 38 offers the following advantages:

• Halal certification & various other international certifications (MEA, HSSA, NSF, etc.)
• Non-corrosive: Safe for medical equipment, metal, plastic, and other sensitive surfaces
• Safe for humans: Does not cause skin irritation and is non-toxic when used as directed
• Environmentally friendly: Made from biodegradable materials and leaves no harmful residue
• Raw material Isopropyl-Tridesyl-Dimethyl-Ammonium: a strong and patented disinfectant safe for operators, medical devices, and the environment
• Long shelf life of 36 months, even after opening
• Odorless in Master Disinfectant and Neutralis, while other variants (except Umonium Instrument, Sterily, and Medical Spray) contain essential-oil fragrances
• Fast-acting, potent, and broad-spectrum disinfectant: bactericidal, fungicidal, mycobactericidal, virucidal, and sporicidal with a 10-minute contact time
• Available in 1L bottles / 5L gallon containers

With proper use of disinfectants such as Umonium 38, healthcare facilities can significantly reduce the risk of cross-infection.

Conclusion

Cross-infection remains a real threat in healthcare services if equipment and the environment are not properly cleaned and disinfected. Consistent and effective disinfection is a crucial step to protect patients and healthcare workers. Products like Umonium 38 simplify the cleaning process and ensure that medical environments and equipment remain safe from pathogens, helping to break the chain of cross-infection.

References

1. World Health Organization (WHO). Guidelines on Hand Hygiene in Health Care. WHO, 2009.

2. Rutala WA, Weber DJ. Disinfection and Sterilization in Healthcare Facilities: An Overview and Current Issues. Infect Dis Clin North Am. 2016;30(3):609–637.

3. Kampf G, et al. Efficacy of Disinfectants Against Emerging Viral Pathogens. J Hosp Infect. 2020;104(3):251–263.

4. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Guideline for Disinfection and Sterilization in Healthcare Facilities. 2019.

5. Boyce JM. Environmental Contamination Makes an Important Contribution to Hospital Infection. J Hosp Infect. 2007;65:50–54.