Recently, the China Health Supervision Association (CHSA) released the “Guideline for the Use of Disinfectant Wipes in Healthcare Settings” (T/WSJD 63—2024). This guideline offers comprehensive instructions for the proper use of disinfectant wipes in healthcare environments, aiming to standardize practices and enhance infection control measures.

Disinfectant Wipes Guideline Scope and Applicability

This standard specifically deals with the management, use, practices, and precautions concerning disinfectant wipes in healthcare institutions. The category includes all kinds of healthcare facilities for applications including hand hygiene, skin intact disinfection, and the cleaning of a variety of surfaces such as:

-Medical equipment and devices

Surfaces of medical supplies

-General object surfaces

-Contaminated areas

Except for hospitals and clinics, the guideline recommends that all other related health facilities, including nursing homes and medical isolation sites, apply these recommendations for the best hygiene outcome.

Understanding Disinfectant Wipes

It says disinfectant wipes are described as premoistened towelettes and/or sheets in forms intended for in disinfection and cleaning the surfaces of nearly anything. As is mostly in nonwoven fabrics or cloth material generally impregnated with other added ingredients aside from disinfectant. Originally from the concept it was being different from dry sheets comprising solid disinfectants.

High-level disinfectant wipes: These are applied for the destruction of a broad spectrum of pathogens, including bacteria, viruses, fungi, and most bacterial spores. Common active ingredients include chlorine compounds, hydrogen peroxide, and peracetic acid.

Intermediate-level disinfectant wipes: These are used to kill bacteria, excluding bacterial spores, fungi, and viruses. The commonly used active ingredients include chlorhexidine gluconate, quaternary ammonium compounds, and povidone-iodine.

Low-level disinfectant wipes：Low-level disinant wipes target bacteria and enveloped viruses almost exclusively, with quaternary ammonium compounds and chlorhexidine commonly active ingredients.

Cleaning and Disinfection Practices in Healthcare Settings Using Disinfectant Wipes

The guideline gives detailed information on various applications and surfaces for disinfectant wipes with the aim of effective and safe disinfection:

Hand disinfection: The healthcare workers should rub the disinfectant wipes into their hands until all visible surfaces are covered for at least 15 seconds.

Intact Skin Disinfection: This should be cleaned using appropriately formulated skin-use wipes. The products applied should be according to the manufacturer’s recommendations about the time of contact.

Medical Equipment and Supplies: Medical equipment and supplies shall be disinfected according to the conditions of the risk and level of contamination of the particular medical equipment and supplies. For example, general wards are considered routine and use intermediate or low-level wipes; operating rooms and intensive care units are considered high-risk areas and would use intermediate or high-level wipes.

General Object Surfaces: The low-risk areas can have simple cleaning performed on a regular basis. However, the frequently touched surfaces need to be cleaned and disinfected using intermediate or low-level disinfectant wipes. High level wipes should be applied for immediate disinfection in case of contamination.

The Disinfectant Wipes Precautions and Special Considerations

Besides the steps involved, a few important precautionary measures that were highlighted within the document included :

Adverse Reactions: If there is any signs and symptoms of an adverse reaction, users must be discontinued immediately and the affected area washed with ample water.

Hypersensitivity: It is contraindicated for persons with hypersensitivity to any one of the ingredients making up these wipes.

External Use Only: The disinfectant wipes are to be used externally only. They must not be swallowed or used on mucous membranes.

Pediatric Use: In cleaning toys or surfaces that infants or young children may come in contact with, use non-toxic, non-irritating, hypoallergenic disinfectant wipes.

INTCO Medical: Your Partner in Healthcare Hygiene

INTCO Medical, as the largest manufacturer for medical consumables in China, can supply various ways to different series of disinfectant wipes to healthcare institutions.

The disinfectant 75% alcohol wipes from INTCO Medical are prepared with effective and safe disinfecting agents to ensure the best hygiene in patient and staff safety. They come in different sizes, packaging options, and levels of disinfection, all suited for various applications and risk assessments within healthcare settings.

Product Portfolio Beyond Wipes: INTCO Medical

INTCO Medical is committed to hygiene in healthcare beyond disinfectant wipes. It offers a wide array of medical consumables, including:

Disposable gloves: Disposable exam gloves from INTCO Medical include nitrile, vinyl, synmax and latex, enjoying the best prestige.

Baby wet wipes: The wet wipes for babies can meet the finicky demands of babies, keep great gentleness without any irritants. INTCO Medical takes harmless ingredients friendly to skin for the sake of assuring safety and effectiveness to clean up a baby.

Thickened Soft Tissue: For tasks which demand much more absorbent and durable wipes, INTCO Medical produces thickened soft tissues made from regenerative cellulose fiber. These towels are soft and hypoallergenic enough for both wet and dry uses.

INTCO Medical is committed to high quality, innovation, and customer satisfaction, enabling it to hold a niche in the healthcare sector. Its broad range of medical consumables enables each healthcare institution to guarantee the highest level of hygiene, thus improving patient care and making healthcare safer.

By using INTCO Medical’s range of products, health professionals have the assurance of proper equipment for adequate hygiene and correct infection control practice.