Table 3 - High-Level Disinfectants (HLD)
Chemical Action Application Exposure Time Comments
Glutaraldehyde Sterilant Semi-critical >20 minutes for " Toxic. Rinse well.
HLD devices HLD
" Shelf life limited.
>10 hours for
" Requires well-ventilated room and safe work practices. Health care
sterilization (or
workers may be exposed to elevated vapour if equipment is
according to
processed in rooms with inadequate ventilation, when spills occur, or
manufacturer s
when there is an open immersion bath. The ceiling exposure value
recommenda-
(CEV) is the maximum airborne concentration of a biological or
tions)
chemical agent to which a worker is exposed at any time. The current
occupational exposure limit that the Ontario Ministry of Labour has
set for glutaraldehyde is a ceiling exposure value of 0.05 ppm.
" The recommended in-use concentration of each preparation should
be maintained for the product to maintain its effectiveness, therefore
monitoring the concentration of glutaraldehyde is required. Follow
manufacturers recommendations.
Ortho-phtha- HLD Semi-critical 12 minutes " Shelf life limited.
laldehyde devices
" Less occupational risks.
0.55%
" Rinse well.
Sodium HLD Limited >20 minutes " Corrosive to metals.
hypochlorite application
" Rinse well.
1,000 parts per on semi-criti-
" Does not clean.
million (ppm) cal devices
" If stored in opaque container can be prepared weekly. Otherwise,
(1:50 dilution of
prepare daily.
household
bleach)
Boiling HLD Semi-critical >20 minutes " Change water daily.
items that
" Clean vessel daily.
can be sub-
" Keep water level full.
jected to
moisture and
heat
Table 4 - Intermediate/Low-Level Disinfectants (I/LLD)
Chemical Action Application Exposure Time Comments
Sodium I/LLD Environmental 10 minutes " Clean surface first, then disinfect.
hypochlorite, surfaces
" Store in opaque container away from light  can be prepared
500 ppm (1:100
weekly.
dilution of
household
bleach)
Alcohol, iso- ILD Environmental Allow to dry " Clean surface first, then disinfect.
propyl 60-90% surfaces
Table 5 - Low-Level Disinfectants (LLD)
Chemical Action Application Exposure Time Comments
" Quaternary ammonium LLD Daily cleaning " Sodium hydrochlorite is a disinfectant
compounds and disinfection agent and has no cleaning properties.
of all surfaces in
" Accelerated hydrogen " Phenols may leave a film; may depigment
the office
peroxide products skin; do not use on items that will be used
with infants.
" Sodium hypochlorite
(1:100 dilution of house-
hold bleach)
" Phenolics
INFECTION CONTROL IN THE PHYSICIAN S OFFICE 43
T
HE
E
NVIRONMENT