Final answer:
Clinical contact surfaces should be cleaned and disinfected with a registered hospital grade intermediate to high-level germicide following each patient. Chlorine bleach or similar products are commonly used, and the disinfectants should be more effective than phenol, as indicated by a phenol coefficient greater than 1.0.
Step-by-step explanation:
Clean and disinfect all clinical contact surfaces that are not protected by impervious barriers using a Cal/EPA registered, hospital grade intermediate to high-level germicide after each patient. The goal is to reduce the microbial load on surfaces to prevent the transmission of infections. In the clinical setting, disinfection protocols are mandatory to ensure the safety of patients and healthcare workers. This involves the use of chemical disinfectants, such as a phenol coefficient greater than 1.0, indicating effectiveness surpassing that of phenol.
Disinfectants must be fast acting, stable, easy to prepare, and affordable. Typical disinfectants used in healthcare include chlorine bleach or products containing chlorine, which are applied to nonliving surfaces to prevent disease transmission. It is crucial to note that disinfection is different from sterilization, as some hardy microbes like endospores may survive the process.