Infection Control & SafetyQuestion 473 of 484
A jug of EPA-registered hospital-grade disinfectant lists a tuberculocidal contact time of 10 minutes at the labeled dilution. A nail technician immerses combs and metal nippers for 10 minutes between clients. To be COMPLIANT, she must:
a.Use the FULL 10-minute contact time at the proper label dilution, with implements fully submerged and free of debris, in covered solution that is changed at least daily or whenever visibly contaminated; shortening time, diluting incorrectly, or leaving the lid off invalidates the kill claim
b.Use 1 minute because shorter is fine for clean tools
c.Use the disinfectant only on the outside of the tools
d.Skip the cleaning step because the disinfectant itself dissolves debris
Explanation
Contact time on an EPA label is the MINIMUM time the surface must remain visibly wet with disinfectant at the labeled dilution to achieve the kill claim. Any deviation (shorter time, wrong dilution, partial immersion, soiled solution, uncovered jar that allows evaporation) invalidates the manufacturer's tested efficacy. California licensees must clean implements first (debris physically removed) THEN disinfect, and change the solution at least daily or whenever visibly contaminated, per CCR Title 16 §979 and BBC sanitation practice. Options B, C, and D each break a specific rule and produce a non-compliant cycle that an inspector will cite.
Law Reference: CCR Title 16 §979Practice all 484 questions free — no signup required.
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