FAQs: Frequently asked questions in the area of hygiene

On our FAQ page you will find questions from the area of hygiene that have been asked directly by users in practice and answered by our team of scientific experts. Take a look around - you are sure to find many topics that are helpful for you in your daily work. If you have a question that has not yet been answered here, please feel free to ask our team of experts online or by phone.

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Disinfection

Why do most hand disinfectants claim a “virucidal activity against enveloped viruses”?

Hand disinfectants that guarantee full virucidal activity often include a higher proportion of the active ingredient or come with the addition of phosphoric acid. However, both solutions can negatively affect the skin. Thus, to ensure better skin tolerance and health compliance...

Frequently asked questions in the area of hygiene

FAQs: Frequently asked questions in the area of hygiene

Disinfection

Why do most hand disinfectants claim a “virucidal activity against enveloped viruses”?

Are cellulose swabs in combination with a skin antiseptic sufficient for skin disinfection before blood sampling?

Do hand disinfectants dry out the skin?

Can I use alcohol-based hand disinfectants and skin antiseptics during pregnancy and while breastfeeding?

Can I disinfect my children’s hands?

Are there already acquired resistances to certain alcohol-based hand disinfectant?

Does the use of gown bottles have a demonstrably positive effect on hand hygiene compliance?

What is the general ruling of the Federal Office for Chemicals on the production of disinfectants?

Which products can be used for disinfection?

Why is the parvovirus used for tests ≥ 40 °C according to EN/DVV?

Why is it important to ensure that wipes in dispenser systems are compatible with a disinfecting agent?

Why is routine disinfection of near-patient surfaces essential?

What is meant by the term "soap error"?

What is the 1-hour-value in surface disinfection?

What are the precautions for pregnant women when it comes to equipment and surface disinfectants?

What is meant by disinfectant solution usage time?

What is meant by the service life of disinfectant solutions?

In which situations may the surface only be walked on or used after the contact time has expired?

When is it appropriate to use products under clean conditions or dirty conditions?

Do rubber septa from infusion bottle need to be disinfected before preparing an infusion?

Can use concentrations be calculated by using the rule of three?

Can surface disinfectants be applied with any type of gloves?

Hygiene Management

Are expired containers still usable (opened and unopened) after the stated expiry date?

What is meant by "humid working conditions"?

Are disposable gloves required during handling of patients infected with multi-drug resistant Gram-negative pathogens, even if contact with secretions, blood or other fluids is excluded?

Are nail varnish and nail gel allowed on nurses and doctors?

Is hand disinfection enough, or do I also have to wash my hands?

Pathogens

When is it necessary to decolonise MRSA patients in medical facilities?

Are there any special requirements for surgical skin antisepsis for patients with Clostridioides difficile infection?

Does a hospital patient have to be isolated and the appropriate hygiene measures initiated as soon as tuberculosis is suspected?

Are people visiting an MRSA-colonised patient allowed entry to the room without prior hygiene measures?

Can carbapenem-resistance of different types of pathogens, e.g., in cases of ESBL, be transmitted to others?

Can multiresistant pathogens also develop resistance to the active ingredients in surface or skin disinfectants?

Are pregnant women allowed to provide care to an MRSA carrier?

What hygiene measures apply to patients with multidrug-resistant, Gram-negative pathogens that show resistance to three or four groups of antibiotics?

What class of respiratory masks is prescribed or recommended in the event of a norovirus outbreak, and what is the source of this recommendation?

How often should a hospital patient readmitted from a care facility undergo MRSA sanitisation?

What is the difference between MRGN and ESBL?

Is basic hygiene enough when it comes to ESBL bacteria?

Which groups of people should be tested for MRSA at hospitals?

Does the terminal disinfection after the operation of an MRSA patient have to be carried out in compliance with the contact time?

Are there special requirements for hygiene management in endoscopy departments after the treatment of an MRSA patient?

Is there a risk of transmission when visiting an MRSA patient, even without coming into contact with anything in the room?

Which product can I use for noroviruses?

Which areas of a patient room require particular attention during terminal disinfection in cases of Pseudomonas aeruginosa?

Legal Backgrounds

In Germany, do hand disinfectants for hygienic and surgical hand disinfection have to be approved as medicinal products or may biocidal products also be used?

Do the original bottles of hand disinfectants used in dispensing systems always have to bear the opening date?

Can disinfectants that have exceeded their expiry date be disposed of in household waste?

Effectiveness

If hand disinfectants are claimed to be effective within 15 seconds, e.g. for MNV, do hands have to be disinfected for only this period?

Is it possible to add a cleaning intensifier to disinfectants?

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