The benefits of disposable wipes in contamination control <br>A growing body of research suggests that disposable wipes are a safer and more effective infection control method than reusable cleaning cloths. <br> <br>From misting to spraying to fogging, customers have a wide range of cleaning tools at their disposal for delivering cleaners and disinfectants – but choosing the right delivery mechanism can be difficult. While disinfectants can simply be sprayed onto environmental surfaces to kill or inactivate pathogenic microorganisms, wiping the surface is an important part of the cleaning process and an effective way to control contamination on a hard surface. The efficacy of the disinfectant is reduced by the presence of soil particles, the removal of which is especially key. Wetting the wipe significantly enhances particle entrapment and removal in comparison with dry wiping methods. A study by Rutala (2012) in the US involving Clostridioides difficile found that two to three log of spores were removed simply through the physical act of wiping the surface with a damp cloth. <br> <br>A recent study from Arizona, conducted by the microbiologist Chuck Gerba, showed that laundered cleaning cloths are routinely contaminated with bacteria. 93% of sampled cloths (28 out of 30) from 10 different hospitals contained viable bacteria after laundering (three cloths were collected per hospital, with eight hospitals using cotton and two using microfibre cloths). The average bacterial load was 133CFU/cm2. Species identified included Pseudomonas, Klebsiella and Aspergillus fungi. The microfibre towels had higher numbers of bacteria present than the cotton cloths. <br> <br>In summary, pre-moistened disinfectant wipes can improve hygiene outcomes by providing mechanical action in wiping surfaces and reducing the complexity of the cleaning process by eliminating the challenges associated with managing used cleaning cloths, including cost, inadequate laundering, and storage requirements <br> <br>THE BENEFITS OF USING WET WIPES <br>It is common for people to hold the idea that regular cleansing with soap and water is enough to protect the skin and odour. However, many studies have shown that soap can actually be drying to the skin and cause irritation. Frequent contact with soap and water strips the natural oils from the skin. Wipes are therefore important for removing faeces and urine without the need for scrubbing. Wet wipes can gently dissolve irritants, whilst helping maintain the skin’s natural PH. Prior to widespread use of modern absorbent hygiene products, incontinence associated dermatitis was a very common occurrence. Modern wet wipes have provided an important role in preventing contamination and transmission of infectious diseases. Wet wipes are pre-moistened with a 3 in 1 formula to cleanse, restore and protect skin with just a single wipe. They can be used to cleanse, moisturise and deodorise, offering anti-bacterial and barrier protection. Wet wipes can be used on every part of your body and specifically the areas that incontinence affects. These wipes are a necessity when making a trip to the appropriate facilities isn’t possible. Studies have found that the removal of washbowls and replacement with a pre-packaged solution such as wet wipes demonstrated a significant reduction in CAUTI rates of 88%. The Key Benefits of Using Wet Wipes: <br> <br>-They are PH Balanced <br> <br>-Some wet wipes are enriched with aloe and a light scent to sooth the skin and reduce odours <br> <br>-Leave the skin soft and clean <br> <br>-Ideal when running water is unavailable <br> <br>-Improved skin health <br> <br>-Enables quick and easy hygiene throughout the day <br> <br>-Suitable for frequent use <br> <br>-Raise personal hygiene standards <br> <br>-Prevent the development of Incontinence Associated Dermatitis <br> <br>-Convenient <br> <br>Wet Wipes vs. Dry Wipes <br> <br>Wet wipes are ready for use after buying, however they may also be warmed to further increase user comfort. They are often more convenient, as they feature a moisturising composition that deodorises skin as well as fighting bacteria to aid with infection control. Dry wipes are often preferred by some users for their lack of chemicals, making them more suitable for those with sensitive skin. If you are sensitive to perfumes and would rather use wet wipes, ensure you avoid using the wipes that are scented. They are also often free from chemicals and perfume, so are more ideal for regular use. Dry wipes, however, do require use alongside foams and other cleansing products, whereas wet wipes can be used alone. If you are on a budget therefore, wet wipes would be more convenient for you. <br> <br> <br> <br>Baby Wipes: Keeping Your Baby\s Skin Clean and Healthy <br> <br>Baby wipes have become an essential part of daily life for many families. As their use has expanded with time, Pampers Baby Wipes have continually improved to meet changing consumer needs, with notable advances in skin health features. <br> <br> <br>Gentle Care for Diapered Skin <br> <br> <br>The skin around a baby’s diaper area is regularly exposed to wetness, urine, and poop. This skin has more folds and creases than other areas, which can make it difficult to clean thoroughly. This is a major factor in why most babies experience at least one case of diaper rash. <br> <br> <br>Effective prevention and treatment of diaper rash requires frequent changings and cleansing to remove urine and fecal enzymes from the skin. At each changing, it\s important to thoroughly clean the skin. Using gentle wipes like Pampers Baby Wipes can help make this job quick and easy. Application of creams and using superabsorbent disposable diapers like Pampers can also reduce the likelihood of diaper rash. <br> <br> <br>Why is gentle, effective cleansing important? Healthy baby skin has a natural pH balance. But mess from dirty diapers can increase the pH, which makes the skin more susceptible to irritants that can cause rash. Regularly cleaning the skin with Pampers Baby Wipes can remove these irritants and help restore the skin\s natural, healthy pH balance. <br> <br> <br>Is Water Enough? <br> <br>While water and washcloth are often seen as the gold standard for cleansing, water can\t remove oily substances from the skin easily, and water alone doesn\t provide pH-buffering action. <br> <br> <br>In fact, water can negatively impact skin physiology over time and does not provide an advantage over other cleansing methods such as use of baby wipes. In addition, if washcloths or sponges are used, they can create too much friction against a baby\s skin, or can reintroduce skin contaminants if they are reused before washing. <br> <br> <br>DRY HEALTHCARE WIPES GUIDE <br>WHAT ARE DRY WIPES? <br> <br>Dry wipes are cleansing products often used in healthcare environments like hospitals, nurseries, care homes and other places where it is important to maintain good hygienic standards. <br> <br>As the name suggests, dry wipes are manufactured without any added cleaning solution – unlike wet wipes which come pre-saturated. <br> <br>Different types of dry wipe have different properties, but they all tend to be strong, soft and absorbent. This means that they can be used for a range of different purposes including drying, wiping surfaces and more. <br> <br> <br>HOW TO USE DRY WIPES <br> <br>Because they are not pre-saturated with cleaning solution, dry wipes are incredibly flexible, versatile tools for maintaining a hygienic, healthy environment. <br> <br>In a dry state, they can be used for drying up wet messes and drying patients. The absorbent fibre towels can also be used with different cleaning formulas to clean a variety of surfaces and patients. <br> <br>To prevent cross-contamination between patients and surfaces, dry wipes should be disposed of after cleaning one area or patient. <br> <br> <br>DISPOSABLE VS REUSABLE DRY WIPES <br> <br>Strong evidence suggests that contaminated equipment and surfaces contribute to the transmission of pathogens, which can spread rapidly to vulnerable patients. <br> <br>In the past, it was normal to see reusable cloths used on hospital wards and in other healthcare environments. These dry cloths would be laundered after each use, supposedly to remove contaminants and prevent infection. <br> <br>But recent studies have shown that these reusable cloths can be ineffective and dangerous. <br> <br> <br>One study showed that rather than wiping away germs, these reusable cloths could actually be spreading them. Other studies have concluded that healthcare laundering practices are insufficient to get rid of contaminants and that cotton towels should not be used in healthcare environments because they reduce the effectiveness of disinfectant cleaning products. <br> <br>If they are used correctly, disposable dry wipes are better at controlling infection, because they are thrown away after each use. <br> <br> <br>ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT OF DRY WIPES <br> <br>Growing environmental consciousness is driving a consumer trend away from single-use disposable products like plastic water bottles and domestic wet wipes. <br> <br>To ensure effective infection control, some dry disposable healthcare wipes are thrown out after a single use. There are more environmentally friendly disposable wipes. These products are suitable for disposal in a macerator, which reduce the risk of cross-infection while also reducing the amount of waste that goes to landfill. <br> <br> <br>Gloves，To Wear or Not To Wear? <br>Why Wearing Gloves is Important <br> <br>It is important to wear gloves when working with hazardous chemicals and other materials because they protect our hands from infection and contamination. Protective gloves should be selected on the basis of the hazards involved. <br> <br> <br>Nitrile gloves protect against most chemicals and infectious agents. <br> <br>Rubber gloves protect against mild corrosive material. <br> <br>Neoprene gloves protect against most solvents, oils, and mild corrosive materials. <br> <br>Avoid latex gloves as many people are allergic or develop allergies to this material. <br> <br> <br>When to Wear Gloves <br> <br>Wear gloves when your hands may come into contact with: <br> <br>infectious materials <br> <br>radioactive materials <br> <br>chemicals <br> <br> <br>When NOT to Wear Gloves <br> <br>Don\t wear gloves when touching common surfaces, such as telephones, computers, door knobs, and elevator buttons, or that may be touched without gloves by others. <br> <br>Don\t wear gloves outside of the lab. When transporting hazardous materials between labs, use secondary containers that can be carried without gloves. (Bring gloves and spill materials in case of an accident.)