Commonly-used Infection Prevention Definitions Animal Care Professionals Should Know

Contact time – No disinfectant kills everything instantly – every product has what is known as a “contact time”, which is the length of time that the surface must remain wet to be effective. If the surface isn’t staying wet for the length of the contact time, you’re not disinfecting!

Disinfectant – A disinfectant is a product that kills pathogens, such as bacteria, viruses or fungi, on a surface. Disinfecting surfaces in veterinary clinics, shelters and pet services facilities is a critical step in preventing the spread of pathogens that can cause infection.

Health Canada-Registered – Surface disinfectants in Canada are registered with Health Canada. Health Canada reviews each product to make sure that its claims are backed up by third-party data, and assigns a Drug Identification Number (DIN). If a product doesn’t have a DIN on its label, it is not approved for disinfecting your surfaces!

Hospital- Grade – While there are many disinfectants on the market, hospital-grade disinfectants are products that meet the standards to be used in healthcare settings, with proven effectiveness against important bacteria. Consumer products may be okay for home use, but professional animal care settings should rely on disinfectants, like Prevail, that are trusted in healthcare.

Pathogen – Commonly known as germs, pathogens are microorganisms that can cause disease. Pathogens can be viruses, such as Canine parvovirus, Feline panleukopenia, and many others; bacteria such as Bordetella bronchiseptica (kennel cough), or even fungi, such as Microsporum canis or Trichophyton interdigitale, which cause ringworm. Parasites (e.g., Giardia, Crytosporidium, Coccidia, worms, etc.) are also pathogens, but unlike bacteria, viruses and fungi, Health Canada-registered disinfectants are not able to carry efficacy claims against these organisms.

Ready-to-Use (RTU) – RTU is a formulation that is ready to be used as-is and does not require dilution with water or mixing with any other solutions. This allows for a convenient option to quickly disinfect between animals.

Refill pouches (for wipes) – As an alternative to purchasing a new canister of disinfectant wipes, refill pouches are a convenient option made with 90% less plastic than a canister wipe. Refills wipes are eco-friendly, cost-effective, and easy to store. Pouches can be inserted directly into the empty canister, and cut along the dotted line.

Safety Data Sheet (SDS) – Safety Data Sheets (SDS) are documents that communicate important safety information about a product to its users. SDSs should be provided by employers whenever handling chemicals. A disinfectant’s SDS will contain instructions on how to safely apply, store and dispose of the product, highlighting any precautions to be aware of.

Sanitizing – Sanitizing reduces the amount of bacteria on a surface to a safe level, as determined by public health or other standards. However, sanitizing is not the same as disinfecting, as sanitizers will have a narrow spectrum of efficacy compared to a disinfectant such as Prevail. As such, sanitizing is not sufficient to prevent the spread of infection in animal care environments.

Shelf Life: The length of time that a disinfectant remains effective from when it is produced. The expiry date of the solution should be indicated on the container. When using a concentrate disinfectant, it is also important to consider diluted shelf life, i.e., the shelf life of the solution once diluted in water. In the case of many commonly-used products, the diluted shelf life ranges from 24 hours to 7 days, but Prevail has a shelf life of up to 30 days once diluted. Regardless of the diluted shelf life, solution that is visibly soiled or otherwise contaminated should be discarded and replaced.

Workplace/ Secondary Product Labels: Workplace/ Secondary Product Labels are additional labels to be used when decanting your Prevail solution from the original bottle into a secondary container, such as a spray bottle. Workplace labels list important product information and allows you to keep track of the expiration date. These workplace/ Product Labels are available through your distributor.

Zoonotic – Zoonotic pathogens are those that can be spread between animals and people, and therefore present a risk to humans as well as to animals. Common examples of zoonotic pathogens of concern to animal care environments include ringworm and Leptospira (Lepto).