After the patient has left the room, remove contaminated PPE before cleaning the room.
Wear fresh, non-contaminated gloves, a surgical mask and eye protection to clean the room.
Effective cleaning requires the combination of mechanical action, detergent and water, then drying.
Wipe down surfaces with both a detergent and a disinfectant. Use a cleaning detergent followed by a disinfectant, or use a 2-in-1 product with both cleaning and disinfecting properties.
- Detergents remove dirt and organic material, and should be used according to the manufacturer’s directions and then allowed to dry.
- Disinfectants kill most infectious agents, and should be used after a detergent. They include chlorine or hydrogen peroxide or any hospital-grade, Therapeutic Goods Administration–listed product commonly used against norovirus. They should be used according to the manufacturer’s directions.
Wipe down any touched surfaces (including door handles, desktops, stethoscopes and otoscopes) between patients. Clean fabric surfaces with bleach.
Dispose of contaminated waste appropriately in contamination bins, as usual.
Once surfaces have dried, you can safely use the room for the next standard patient consultation. You don’t need to leave the room empty for any period of time.