Cleaning, Disinfection, and Sterilization

Cleaning, Disinfection, and Sterilization

Background

Germs can live on environmental surfaces or on medical equipment. It is important to clean and disinfect surfaces and equipment to prevent the spread of germs.

Medical equipment has different disinfection or sterilization requirements depending on what the equipment touches.

 

 

 

Educational Resources

VDH Infection Prevention and Control Assessments: The HAI/AR team is available to conduct a no-cost, non-regulatory, onsite visit to help a facility identify its infection prevention strengths and areas of opportunity.

Association for the Health Care Environment / Project Firstline 

Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC) 

California Department of Public Health

Environmental Protection Agency

Indiana State Department of Health

Nebraska Infection Control Assessment and Promotion Program

Statewide Program for Infection Control and Epidemiology (SPICE)

Virginia Healthcare-Associated Infections Advisory Group

VCU Virginia Infection Prevention Training Center

 

 

 

Setting-Specific Resources

Cleaning, disinfection and sterilization resources specific to long-term care settings: 
Nursing Homes

View Long-Term Care Homepage

Last Updated: October 16, 2024