Disinfecting Foggers
The foggers dispense a mist of disinfectant throughout the room.
Advantages:
- The fog mist covers and penetrates all items within the patient room
- Complete room coverage can be achieved in a relatively short period of time
- A variety of germicidal solutions can be dispensed through the system.
Disadvantages:
- Requires personal protective equipment (PPE)
- Fogging does not remove soiling, blood or body fluids. Cleaning is still required
- Moisture may leave condensation on windows in a patient’s room
- According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (
CDC) 2008 Guideline for Disinfection and Sterilization in Healthcare Facilities, this technique of spraying of disinfectants is an unsatisfactory method of decontaminating air and surfaces and is not recommended for general infection control in routine patient-care areas
- Disinfectant fogging is
rarely, if ever, used in U.S. healthcare facilities for air and surface disinfection in patient-care areas.
Optimum Qualities Of Surface Disinfecting Systems
To find the best solution for a facility’s disinfection, keep the following qualities in mind during the selection process. Systems should have these traits:
- Easy to use
- Disinfect quickly (three to five seconds)
- Kill a broad range of pathogens without “gaps” in the efficacy spectrum
- Reduce potential for cross-contamination of adjacent surfaces
- Non-toxic, non-chemical and sustainable
- Psychologically acceptable to use around patients
- No health risk to sensitive populations such as asthmatics, patients with chemical sensitivities, etc.
- Frequent use will not damage surfaces
- Effective on three-dimensional, vertical and porous surfaces
- Safe for cleaning staff, even for longterm use
- Peer-reviewed efficacy.
Article references
- Rutala WA (editor). Disinfection, Sterilization, and Antisepsis: Principles, Practices, Current Issues, New Research, and New Technology. Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology, Washington, DC. 2010
- Rutala WA, Weber DJ, HICPAC. 2008. CDC guideline for disinfection and sterilization in healthcare facilities.
- Dr. Benjamin Tanner – Principal of Antimicrobial Test Laboratories
- American Journal of Infection Control
- Cleaning & Maintenance Management
- Dick Zoutman, MD, FRCPC, Emeritus Professor — Medical Microbiology & Infectious Diseases — Queen’s University
- CDC’s 2008 Guideline for Disinfection and Sterilization in Healthcare Facilities
Posted On July 8, 2013
