title: [Survey of disinfectant usage in a polyclinic in Rome: preliminary results].
abstract: The authors describe the survey that was conducted in the largest hospital in Rome. The aim was to estimate the disinfectants and chemical sterilizers employed and asses possible hazards for patients and workers arising from the use of disinfectants, together with the problem of waste disposal. The study was conducted by means of a survey form that was distributed to 39 departments/institute in the whole hospital of which 24 (61%) responded. Overall 635 charts were collected listing 886 usage procedures and 110 formulations with 40 different active ingredients. The disinfection fields of use were: skin(52.4%) environment (28.8%) and hospital equipment (20.8%) This study shows that a modern hospital should select very few disinfectants and prepare a handbook that can explain disinfectant usage procedures and concentrations. In the guidelines the problem of waste disposal and employee safety should also be considered.
authors.affiliation: Cattedra di Igiene Ambientale, Istituto di Igiene G. Sanarelli, Universit degli Studi La Sapienza, Roma.
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Leoni
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Urso
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Materazzo
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Rossini
mesh_terms: D003264:Containment of Biohazards; D003428:Cross Infection / Q000517:prevention & control*; D003625:Data Collection; D003666:Decontamination; D004202:Disinfectants / Q000009:adverse effects; D004203:Disinfection / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D004866:Equipment Contamination; D017408:Guidelines as Topic; D006786:Hospitals, Urban / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D017053:Infection Control / Q000379:methods / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D017744:Medical Waste Disposal; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000517:prevention & control; D010564:Personnel, Hospital / Q000193:education; D012384:Rome; D012449:Safety; D012867:Skin / Q000382:microbiology; D013664:Teaching Materials
chemical_list: D004202:Disinfectants; D017744:Medical Waste Disposal