Environmental Infection Prevention and Control
Cleaning and Disinfection Strategies for Clinical Contact Surfaces

Barrier protection on clinical contact surfaces are useful, especially if the surfaces are frequently touched by gloved hands during the delivery of patient-care or are difficult to clean. Suitable barrier protection includes impervious-backed paper, aluminum foil, and plastic or fluid-resistant covers.^1,2 Barrier protections are to be removed and discarded after each patient while still wearing gloves.¹ If a surface is visibly soiled, clean and disinfect; otherwise, after degloving and performing hand hygiene, place clean barriers before the next patient is seated.

If barriers are not used and the surface is not visibly soiled, first clean then disinfect with an EPA-List D low-level disinfectant (i.e., hospital disinfectant with HIV and HBV claims). Alternatively, disinfect with an EPA-List B intermediate-level disinfectant (i.e., hospital disinfectant with tuberculocidal claim) or an EPA-list E intermediate-level disinfectant (i.e., hospital disinfectant with tuberculocidal, HIV, and HBV claims).^1,6 If the surface is visibly soiled, first clean then disinfected with an EPA-List B or with an EPA-List E intermediate-level disinfectant as described above.^1,2,6