How Often Should I Reapply Disinfection Coating?

How Often Should I Reapply Disinfection Coating? Disinfection coating is a clear, odorless, and tasteless process that coats the surface of an instrument. It works primarily as a physical barrier to protect instruments from contamination after treatment by high levels of hydrogen peroxide or ethylene oxide gas. Disinfection coating may also enhance biocidal activity.

Disinfection coating allows instruments to be used aseptically until activated by hydrogen peroxide or ethylene oxide gas during sterilization procedures. After treatment, the maximum shelf life of instruments has not been established but is usually three months or less. The disinfection coating does not protect against the growth of microorganisms on the instrument surface.

Applied in a thin film to hard, smooth surfaces for complete and balanced disinfection that cannot be achieved by simply cleansing with an alcohol wipe. Disinfection Coating offers all of the benefits of coating technology when used as part of a comprehensive approach to surface disinfection.

There are Three Main Types of Coating Systems Available in the Market for Aseptic Processing

1. Anionic surfactant-based formulations – Considered by some to be less effective than cationic or zwitterionic coatings but easier to use. These formulations are commonly applied as aqueous solutions.
   
2. Cationic surfactant-based formulations – Generally considered less effective than the newer, zwitterionic coatings, but easier to use and can be spray dried for online application in a continuous sterilization line. These formulations are commonly applied as aqueous solutions or by spraying on the surface.
   
3. Zwitterionic surfactant-based formulations – They are considered the most effective coating types available today due to their superior resistance to environmental stress cracking and good adhesion. These formulations are commonly applied by the dipping method or spraying onto a moving belt conveyor, where technicians can dip or spray them on instruments as they pass by on the conveyor.

Both Zwitterionic surfactant-based coatings and bleached-lime/calcium hydroxide coating are generally applied with a spraying machine.

The main reason is that it makes the disinfection coating more stable. With this method, you have to spray several thin applications on one surface, which will result in an even layer without any drop-offs.

How to Reapply Disinfection Coating?

• Prepare the instrument’s surface to be disinfected by lightly brushing with an abrasive pad or brush. Remove foreign material from cracks and crevices.
  
• Thoroughly cleanse with alcohol or other solvents following local regulations, using a solvent-resistant wipe to remove visible dirt, blood, serum, and ink.

• Allow the instrument to dry before disinfection coating. Perform this step as soon as possible, preferably immediately after cleaning and before sterilization, so that the instruments are ready for immediate use or packaging following sterilization.

• Prepare a good surface area and apply an even and thin film of Disinfection Coating to the instrument’s surface. Allow a minimum of 24 hours drying time before using or sterilizing instruments.

• Use a suitable applicator to apply Disinfection Coating to surfaces challenging to reach with a brush, such as pivot points and angles. The disinfection coating should not be applied so thickly that it becomes visible on the instrument.

• Apply Disinfection Coating on smooth, hard, or nonporous surfaces only. For porous surfaces (e.g., wood), first, apply an epoxy coating of sufficient thickness to prevent the penetration of Disinfection Coating by capillary action. Allow 24 hour drying time before applying Disinfection Coating on these surfaces.

• Apply Disinfection Coating only to instruments that have been thoroughly cleaned and dried.

• Reapply Disinfection Coating when visible residues appear on the surface, the physical properties of the coating deteriorate (e.g., the film becomes tacky), or such conditions are observed during routine use of the instrument.

• Remove visible residues from the instrument surfaces before reapplying.

• Perform aseptic manipulation of instruments following application and drying of Disinfection Coating to avoid contamination during sterilization procedures. Follow-up with a final wipe using a suitable solvent-resistant disposable wipe after applying disinfection coating but before sterilization.

• Upon completing the sterilization process, remove visible residues from instrument surfaces with a suitable solvent or wipe before use.

How Often Should I Reapply Disinfection Coating?

Disinfection coating is a physical barrier, not a sterilization agent. It must be activated by hydrogen peroxide or ethylene oxide gas during the sterilization process to provide an effective microbicide. Reapplications of disinfection coatings on instruments do not enhance microbicidal activity, and there is no maximum number of times disinfection coating can be reapplied.

Instruments should be re-coated when the disinfection coating is observed to have been compromised by use or visible residues from previous treatments become apparent on the surface. These conditions usually indicate that a new coat of Disinfection Coating has been consumed and may be directly related to the number of sterilization cycles used in a given period.

Instruments may be coated with disinfection coating immediately before sterilization and packaging for distribution. They should not remain in a dry state for an extended period before use.

Do Not Reapply Disinfection Coating If:

• Instruments have been exposed to chemical or physical abuse, such as high heat, flame, or fuming chemicals.
  
• Instruments have been stored in an unclean or unsterile location.
  
• Instruments are contaminated with blood, bone, dirt, tissue particles, or are visibly soiled.
  
• Instruments have been exposed to blood or solidified blood.

• Instruments have visible residue of other surface disinfectants, reducing agents, sterilization solutions, or markings. If you are unsure if instruments should be re-coated with disinfection coating after sterilization, please consult your manufacturer’s literature for specific information regarding the particular material under sterilization conditions.

• Instruments are submersed in disinfectant solutions for extended periods.

NOTE: Disinfection coating is not intended to replace routine and thorough cleaning before use. Always clean instruments thoroughly

How Often Should I Reapply Disinfection Coating? – Conclusion:

Disinfection coating must be reapplied if the coating is damaged or deteriorated if visible residues from previous treatments become apparent on the surface, or when devices have been exposed to chemical and physical abuse. Do not reapply disinfection coating if instrument surfaces are visibly contaminated with blood, tissue particles, bone fragments, dirt, or solidified blood.

Instruments should be re-coated when the disinfection coating is observed to have been compromised by use or visible residues from previous treatments become apparent on the surface. Reapply Disinfection Coating only when necessary, and prevent cross-contamination in areas with proteinaceous materials before detecting protein deposits on instrument surfaces.