Pathogenic microorganisms and bacteria have the property of staying and multiplying for quite a long time in a foci of infection. An increase in their destructive effect on a person can be carried out without the presence of a carrier of the disease.
To combat this, a set of measures was developed, which has the name "disinfection", or "disinfection". What is disinfection and how it fights pathogenic microflora, we will understand further.
The concept of disinfection and its types
Microorganisms tend to multiply when exposed to factors favorable to them, which means they create conditions that are dangerous for the human body.
Disinfection - these are specially developed methods of fighting microbes to minimize their quantity in the environment. Unfortunately, it is impossible to completely destroy the pathogenic flora and its spores using the measures used, however, their quantity can be minimized.
There are three main types of disinfection - preventive, final and ongoing. These types of disinfection are used in various conditions - at home, in medical and school-preschool institutions, hotel complexes, trade and food establishments.
What is prophylactic disinfection? With the help of these measures, the pathogenic flora is destroyed to prevent the occurrence of a focus of infection.
Preventive disinfection is carried out daily, regularly, using special disinfectants. After each procedure, specialized documentation is filled out, which records the time, venue and chemical used.
Disinfection in foci of infection
The final method of disinfection is based on the destruction of microbes at the site of the outbreak after infection of the patient. Most often, these measures are used to identify dangerous infectious diseases:
- viral hepatitis;
- rotavirus infections;
- dysentery, salmonellosis and other intestinal infections;
- pediculosis;
- scabies.
Disinfection measures are carried out after hospitalization of the patient by representatives of the sanitary-epidemiological service. Also, final disinfection is necessarily carried out during the demolition of the building of the medical institution, its reconstruction, redevelopment, as well as without fail in maternity hospitals, tuberculosis and infectious hospitals.
Measures aimed at preventing the spread of the disease with an existing focus of infection are called ongoing disinfection. Disinfection of material and household items with which a sick person contacts to interrupt the possible transmission of infection is carried out. It is carried out both at home and in medical institutions.
Disinfection Methods
At the moment, there are such disinfection methods :
- chemical;
- physical;
- mechanical.
When using mechanical disinfection, the object is cleaned of dust and dirt. This method cannot be used as a selection method, but it is included in the complex of other measures.
What is physical factor disinfection? This method is based on the use of high temperature and steam conditions, high frequency currents, and ultraviolet radiation. Often used in medical and sanatorium-type facilities for the destruction of microorganisms that are sensitive to high temperatures. Using this method, not only small items are disinfected, but also mattresses, pillows, clothes and shoes of the patient.
The chemical disinfection is based on the use of special active substances. These drugs are available in the form of solutions, powders, gels, soaps, capsules. Disinfectants are used for pouring, rubbing, falling asleep items that need processing, immersion and irrigation. All objects that can be processed with liquid products are irrigated or immersed in a solution. Those that are not subject to liquids are wiped twice.
Room disinfection
Disinfection of premises is necessary not only in medical facilities, but also in any general buildings. Daily struggle with pathological microflora minimizes the possibility of a foci of infection.
Most often, the disinfection of premises is carried out using chemicals in combination with a mechanical method and the use of ultraviolet radiation. All furniture that is in the room is subjected to processing, irrigation or wiping with rags soaked in a solution. The floor and walls are also carefully crafted. If there is some kind of transportation vehicle in the room, for example, wheelchairs for transporting patients or carts for transporting vegetables, then all of them must also be processed.
In the conditions of medical and sanatorium institutions, after treatment in the premises, bactericidal lamps are turned on. They are necessary to reduce the number of pathogenic microorganisms in the air and on open surfaces.
Features of the use of chemical disinfectants
The disinfectant is used strictly according to the requirements of SanPin. A drug is selected that has the least toxic effect on the human body and at the same time has the most detrimental effect on bacteria. Most often, the products have a neutral smell and hypoallergenic properties.
The most common substance is bleach, however, when working with it, you must follow individual safety measures. It is advisable to prepare the solution immediately before use, and store in a place that does not have access to sunlight.
The main groups of disinfectants
Depending on the active substance that is included in the composition, all disinfectants are divided into groups:
- Alcohol disinfectants - ethyl alcohol, methanol.
- Hydrogen peroxide based products - peroxide + catamine.
- Chlorine substances - chloramine, bleach, deactin.
- Derivatives of peracetic acid.
- Means based on HOUR - benzalkonium chloride.
- Preparations for the chemical method - formaldehyde, alcohols, surfactants, halogens.
All drugs are highly effective against microorganisms, but are not used to destroy their spores.
You can get acquainted in more detail with the information what disinfection is with the help of regulated regulatory documents of the sanitary-epidemiological service.