What does it mean to use a chemical disinfectant “off-label”?
Healthcare disinfectants are intended for use on hard, non-porous surfaces. In fact, there are no chemicals registered with the EPA that can make disinfection claims on soft surfaces.55 Mattresses are soft, porous surfaces, and therefore, can be damaged by the harsh disinfectants used in healthcare facilities. It is recommended that chemicals be rinsed off the mattress after allowing the disinfectant to set for the indicated contact time.39-42 This is to reduce the amount of damage caused by the chemicals on the mattress cover. Additionally, the chemical concentrations recommended by mattress manufacturers may be too low to achieve adequate disinfection of the surface, leaving patients at risk.
Joint Commission now mandates that hospitals follow the MIFU. This includes following the MIFU for all components of the MIFU which would include the disinfectant. MIFU compliance for mattresses will add 20 min to room turn time.
FOLLOW-UP: Contact your chemical disinfectant provider and ask what level of disinfection the mattress manufacturer’s recommendations will produce on a soft surface such as a mattress. Also ask if the chemicals will cause any damage to the mattress surface.
References
39. Best Practices for Cleansing, Disinfecting, and Care of Polyurethane Support Surface Covers. National Pressure Injury Advisory Panel. https://cdn.ymaws.com/npiap.com/resource/resmgr/s3i/S3i_NPIAP_Cleansing_Disinfec.pdf. Published 2020. Accessed April 13, 2021.
40. Cleaning and Disinfecting Instruction Video (REV 1). Hillrom. https://www.hill-rom.com/international/Education/education-by/e-learning/cleaning-instructions/. Accessed September 9, 2020.
41. Stryker® Maintenance Manual: Isolibrium™ Support Surface (REV B). Stryker. https://techweb.stryker.com/Support_Surfaces/2971/0815/maintenance/2971-009-002B.pdf. Published 2017. Accessed September 4, 2020.
42. User Manual and Technical Description: Eleganza 5 Positionable Bed for Intensive Care and Opticare Integrated Mattress Replacement System (Version 6). Linet. Published October 2018.
55. McGoldrick M. Soft surface sanitizing. Home Healthcare Now. 2015;33(1):52-53. https://www.homecareandhospice.com/pdfs/McGoldrick_Soft_Surface_Sanitizing.pdf. Accessed September 4, 2020.