Jack Wagner is president of Micro-Scientific, a producer and distributor of anitmicrobial products based in Illinois.
Q: My ambulatory surgery center's disinfectants have notes on their labels which say "caution" and "warning". What do these mean and what is the difference between them?
Jack Wagner: On the front of each disinfectant's label there should be one of four of what are known as "precautionary signals" from the EPA. The least restrictive one is the signal word "caution" which means you can use this product but there some precautions you need to take.
The next one is "warning" — it's a bit higher [in restrictions]. It says there's a warning with this product; you not only have to follow precautionary statements but there are some other things you have to follow because this product may produce some untoward effects if it's splashed in the eye or gets on the skin.
The next one is "danger". If you see danger, you really better make certain that you follow the instructions for handling that product so you don't splash it on your skin and you don't spill it in your environment because it's an extremely hazardous product.
The fourth one you will very seldom see on disinfectants that are approved for healthcare use is the most restrictive one called "poison".
The label will provide instructions concerning any of the precautions your ASC should take with the disinfectant. The label will also provide any first aid instructions in the event that there is an exposure to the product that is not in keeping with the use of the product.
Learn more about Micro-Scientific at www.opticide.com.
Read more about patient safety issues for surgery centers:
- Patient Safety Tool: Table of Standard Concentrations of Neonatal Drug Infusions
- Infection Control Checklist Reduces CLABSIs, Mortality
- 10 Recent Studies on Infection Control and Prevention