The most effective alternative is electrostatic disinfecting, which involves using electrostatic sprayers to spray disinfectant on the required surfaces. Electrostatic sprayers are not new machines; they were used for pest control in the past. During the COVID-19 pandemic, touchless disinfection grew in popularity, and now electrostatic sprayers are used to apply disinfectants.

Electrostatic disinfection is a relatively new technology in the healthcare field. Nevertheless, there has been widespread adoption as it allows healthcare professionals to conveniently disperse EPA-registered disinfectants onto potentially contaminated surfaces and cover large areas efficiently.

How Does Electrostatic Disinfecting Work?

The first step is to fill the electrostatic sprayer with an appropriate disinfectant from EPA’s list. As the disinfectant passes through an electrostatic disinfecting system like the Clorox Total 360, a small electrical charge causes the disinfectant droplets to land on the negative and neutral surfaces to be cleaned. The static electricity has a magnet effect, so the droplets are attracted to the surfaces, so there is no waste.

Electrostatic disinfecting is particularly effective when it comes to cleaning hard-to-reach areas like keyboards, desks, and other hidden surfaces. Electrostatic spraying ensures every surface is evenly coated and there is maximum disinfection.

Facilities like ambulatory centers that routinely perform a deep cleaning of resident rooms and surfaces stand to benefit significantly from the use of electrostatic disinfection. The devices are portable, which allows for widespread application and ease of use by environmental service technicians and other building service professionals.

Advantages of Using Electrostatic Disinfection

The widespread adoption of electrostatic disinfection is largely attributed to the several benefits our clients enjoy. Some of the major benefits of electrostatic disinfection include:

Total Surface Coverage

Hard-to-reach surfaces that cannot be effectively disinfected by manual cleaning can now be disinfected using electrostatic sprayers. With spray and wipe methods, coverage is reduced to surfaces that can be seen. With electrostatic disinfection, on the other hand, the liquid comes out in smaller droplets which are attracted to the surfaces, resulting in an even coat for total disinfection.

Reduced Product Wastage

Manual disinfection usually results in product waste because it’s easy to apply too much disinfectant on the surfaces. There is no regulation on the amount of product, and it is hard to monitor wastage. Electrostatic spraying gives the droplets a charge, so the surfaces to be cleaned are evenly coated without product overuse.

Non-Intrusive Service

Preparing an electrostatic sprayer is relatively easy compared to other cleaning methods. The sanitation service itself is also non-intrusive. Unlike other cleaning methods, like fogging, which require you to switch off critical systems in the facility before cleaning, electrostatic disinfection can be done in a normally ventilated system without much upheaval.

Increased Worker Productivity

Manual disinfection typically requires the application of disinfectant using trigger sprayers or pre-moistened wipes. Surfaces and objects must be cleaned before the cleaning team can begin disinfection. This can be very time-consuming, as it requires the staff to come into close contact with the surfaces that need cleaning.

With electrostatic disinfection, the sprayers function from a 2-6 feet range from the surfaces being disinfected. This way, your staff can thoroughly disinfect the surfaces from a distance and disinfect more space in less time.

Creates a Safe Work Environment

Electrostatic disinfection dramatically reduces the chances of cross-contamination, which helps prevent the spread of viruses like MRSA, influenza, and COVID-19. This guarantees the safety of patients and staff in the facility, which is also great for business.

Implementing Electrostatic Disinfection

As with any new technology in the healthcare marketplace, it’s crucial to vet this method carefully to ensure it’s the proper fit for your facility. There are several criteria that healthcare businesses can use to evaluate an electrostatic device.

• Efficacy: Only EPA-registered disinfectants with label claims for dispersal should be used with the electrostatic sprayer. The device itself must also have a steady power supply, so there is consistent disinfectant dispersal. Electrostatic sprayers work best with disinfectants with a reasonable contact time, ideally less than five minutes overall.
• Compatibility: The disinfectant solution to be used must be compatible with all the common environmental surfaces to be cleaned, such as overbed tables, countertops, and even medical equipment, to prevent equipment degradation and malfunction.
• Safety: All healthcare technologies should be safe for both the patients and the staff. Some electrostatic devices must be used with specific PPE for safety, so users should be careful to follow the manufacturer’s safety precautions found on the product’s EPA label.

Having met the above criteria, the facility should also implement sprayer technology according to its infection prevention and control policies. Some tips for implementation include:

• Proper training: Before deploying the technology, all users must be carefully trained and their competency documented. Proper training involves access and review of the product’s instructions for use, safety manual, and PPE requirements (if any). Training should be online or in-person, but the competency tests must be in-person.
• Protocol: Environmental services leaders should collaborate and draft a policy or simple protocol that will help prevent any potential issues. This should include an overview of the appropriate use of the technology prior to implementation, the product contact time, use of PPE, and spraying distance.

Get Electrostatic Disinfection Services With Pinnacle Healthcare EVS

Novel disinfecting technologies have played a pivotal role in decreasing viral diseases post-pandemic. Electrostatic disinfection of clinical surfaces greatly reduces the incidence of cross-contamination, reduces overall costs, and significantly improves room turnover.

Regular cleaning and disinfection should be a top priority for every health facility to protect both patients and staff from the spread of diseases. If you’re located in the northeast U.S., get in touch with us today to get a quote for our electrostatic disinfection services.