When ensuring your veterinary clinic is thoroughly disinfected, it can be overwhelming trying to distinguish what you should and should not do. We are going to discuss five of the most common veterinary disinfection myths.
Myth 1 - Disinfection and Cleaning are Identical
Are disinfection and cleaning identical? No, disinfectants kill or inactivate microorganisms in various ways depending on the disinfectant employed, whereas cleaning employs detergents and surfactants to break up dirt on surfaces. Cleaning is 90% of the fight against disease control and some cleaners can weaken a pathogen by penetrating its outermost layer of cells, while other cleaners destroy the cells.
Myth 2 - All Types of Disinfectants Are the Same
Are all types of disinfectants the same? No, all types of disinfectants are not the same. There are more than 8,000 certified disinfection products available for purchase in the US and Canada, and there are many differences among them. Our Ideal Disinfectant article and our KennelSol Comparison chart are both helpful resources in learning more about ideal disinfectants.
Some of these differences include:
- The range of how many types of bacteria the disinfectant kills.
- The amount of time the disinfectant needs to be in contact with the surface before rinsing or drying.
- How strong the disinfectant is.
- It is safe and easy to use.
Alpha Tech Pet has an extensive selection of safe and effective disinfectant and sanitizer products for your clinic available on our website.
Myth 3 - The Same Application Process Can Be Used with All Disinfectants
No, the same application process cannot be used with all disinfectants. There are significant variances in concentrations, contact periods, and personal protection requirements among the six most popular disinfection chemicals. This is especially true in products that you use to disinfect your vet clinic.
In addition, many disinfectants call for cleaning the surface with a detergent-containing product before applying the disinfectant. Make sure you carefully read the instructions on any products or disinfectants that you are using in your clinic.
Myth 4 - Cleaning and Disinfecting is Not My Responsibility
This is not true. Even if certain employees don't perform the actual cleaning, it should be everyone’s duty to make sure that any chance of infection in your medical facility is addressed immediately. This is crucial to keeping a veterinary clinic safe and functional for both clients and staff.
Myth 5 - A Disinfectant Must Be Toxic to Kill a Majority of Germs
No, a disinfectant does not have to be toxic to kill a majority of germs. In the last 10 to 15 years, several companies have been attempting to introduce safer, more sustainable disinfectants that can be used safely in your veterinary clinic.
If you are looking for a disinfectant that you can trust, KennelSol is the perfect ideal disinfectant. With its safe to use, near-neutral pH, non-toxic, formula, you can be at ease knowing your facility is thoroughly disinfected. Pre-cleaning and post-rinsing are not required, making it easy to use.
For more information on your facility sanitation, you can take our Alpha Tech Pet Sanitation Assessment at https://www.alphatechpet.com/sanitationassessmenttool.aspx or call our knowledgeable staff at (800) 222-5537 for more information.