Survey on Immersion Disinfection Using Sodium Hypochlorite in Hospital Wards

Abstract

We standardized the sodium hypochlorite immersion disinfection method and revised the infection control manual through the activities of the Disinfectant Stewardship Team (DST). In this study, we conducted an actual survey on immersion disinfection using sodium hypochlorite as part of the revised manual compliance check. After the manual was revised, the survey period was from September 2018 to March 2019. The targets were 22 departments in all hospital wards. The survey contents confirmed the disinfection status of sodium hypochlorite by direct observation and hearing. Furthermore, the concentration of sodium hypochlorite was confirmed using a colorimetric method. A total of 43 cases were investigated. Of these, 41 cases in which all contents were investi-gated were analyzed. The overall compliance rate was 36.6% (15 cases). In terms of the compliance rate for each content, the concentration was 58.5% (24 cases), disinfection status was 71.0% (29 cases), and immersion time was 83.0% (34 cases). Deficiencies in concentration had an effect on the decline in overall compliance. Investigation of the actual condition of immersion disinfection with sodium hypochlorite re-vealed the inappropriate use in hospital wards. In addition, improvement points could be clarified by evaluating the compliance status of each content, including concentration measurement.