Cleaning, Disinfecting, and Reprocessing

One of the most effective IPAC processes is elimination (cleaning, disinfecting, and reprocessing). Cleaning, disinfecting, and reprocessing of the environment and equipment is highly necessary in all healthcare settings. Click one of the resources below for further information on proper processes for environmental cleaning and the disinfecting/reprocessing of medical equipment.  

COVID-19 Cleaning and Disinfection for Public Settings

This document provides guidance on cleaning and disinfection of public settings, including schools, transit, colleges/universities, retail locations and other workplaces in Ontario.

How to Prevent Skin Damage from Cleaning Products (Fact Sheet)

Washing or sanitizing your hands and cleaning items and surfaces in your environment are recommended to reduce the spread of COVID-19. However, frequent cleaning can affect your skin. This fact sheet provides considerations on how to protect your skin to avoid potential harms caused by cleaning products.

Best Practices for Environmental Cleaning for Prevention and Control of Infections in All Health Care Settings, 3rd Edition

This document outlines the best practices for environmental cleaning in all healthcare settings. Some of the topics covered in this document include best practice for client area cleaning, education, laundry, occupational health and safety issues, cleaning for specific areas, new technologies for cleaning, assessment, and quality control of cleaning.

Best Practices for Cleaning, Disinfection and Sterilization of Medical Equipment/Devices In All Health Care Settings, 3rd edition

This document details the proper process for reprocessing medical equipment in all healthcare settings. This document includes best practices for procurement of disinfection and sterilization equipment, policies and procedures, education and training, factors affecting efficacy, flash sterilization, unacceptable methods of disinfection/sterilization, among other topics.

Cleaning and Disinfecting of Non-critical Multi-use Equipment in Community Settings

The purpose of this practice review is to provide infection prevention and control recommendations to reduce the risk of transmission of infection from non-critical equipment used in community practice settings (which may include but is not limited to home visits, ambulatory clinics, physician offices, outreach settings, supportive and facility living sites).

Cleaning and Disinfection of Reusable Eye Protection (Poster)

This poster provides some general guidance for the cleaning and disinfecting of reusable eye protection. It also includes some important reminders for ensuring proper cleaning and disinfecting of eye protection.

Reprocessing of Critical and Semi-Critical Devices in Community Healthcare Settings

The purpose of this document is to provide infection prevention and control (IPAC) recommendations for the management and reprocessing of critical and semi-critical medical equipment/devices used in community healthcare settings so that consistent reprocessing standards are applied in all healthcare settings.

COVID-19 Health Product Industry

Information and resources for health product manufacturers and distributors in relation to COVID-19.

COVID-19 Improving indoor ventilation

Proper ventilation is one way to help prevent the spread of COVID-19. Good ventilation exchanges indoor air for outdoor air, helping to reduce potentially infectious particles in the air indoors. This webpage outlines guidance for improving indoor ventilation in the context of COVID-19.

Cover Your Cough (Poster)

A poster instructing individuals to perform proper coughing in public spaces.