- Disinfectants are not Broad Spectrum. Different disinfectants are prescribed for different zones (sterile and non-sterile) and for different microbes . However, micro-organisms do not understand these demarcations and hence can travel freely between these zones. This, thus negates the usage of a particular disinfectant for a specific area and for a specific microbe.
- Instructions on the label of disinfectants clearly state that Contact or Exposure time of 20-60 minutes must be maintained in order to achieve proper disinfection. However, overcrowded hospitals along with limited infrastructure, make achieving this Contact time a Herculean task. Moreover, how do you disinfect high-touch, round bar, side wedges with Chemical Disinfectants requiring ‘wet’ Contact Time of 10-60 minutes?
- Instructions also state that a Dry Time of 3 minutes must be observed. In other words, the surface must be able to dry on its own in 3 minutes. However, the usage of ceiling fans and air conditioners shortens the Dry Time, thereby requiring reapplications of at least 6 to 20 times.
- Rinsing, after disinfectant application, is an important step that is missing across most of the hospitals in India. The absence of Rinsing results in the formation of super bugs which are the major cause of HAI.
- The action of disinfectants is Transient, thus requiring continuous reapplications. This is not only very tedious but also very cumbersome for the hospital staff.