Resident Isolation room

Isolation rooms should be decontaminated at least daily; this may be further increased on the advice of the local NHS Board IPCT or HPT.

Isolation rooms should be decontaminated using either:

• A detergent followed by a disinfectant solution

                    or

• A combination product

Manufacturer’s instructions should always be followed regarding preparation and use of a detergent, disinfectant or combination products.

Increased frequency of decontamination/cleaning schedules should be incorporated into the environmental decontamination schedules for areas where there may be higher environmental contamination rates, for example:

• toilets and commodes particularly if residents have diarrhoea
• “frequently touched” surfaces such as door and toilet handles, light switches, chairs, over bed tables and bed rails.

Do not refill spray containers for cleaning products as there is a risk of contamination. 

Terminal decontamination of an isolation room

Resident isolation rooms must be terminally decontaminated following resolution of symptoms, discharge or transfer. This includes removal and laundering of all curtains and bed screens.

Remove from the vacated isolation room all:

• healthcare waste and any other disposable items (bagged before removal from the room)
• bedding, bed screens and curtains and manage as infectious linen (bagged before removal from the room)
• non-invasive, reusable, care equipment should be decontaminated prior to removal from the room

The room should then be disinfected using either:

• A detergent followed by a disinfectant solution

or

• A combination product

Manufacturer’s instructions should always be followed regarding preparation and use of detergent, disinfectant or combination products.

Note: The room should be cleaned from the highest to lowest point and from the least to most contaminated point.

To allow any larger particles to settle onto surfaces, wait a minimum of 10 minutes prior to undertaking any terminal decontamination process at the point the room has been vacated by a resident who still has a suspected or confirmed respiratory infection.