Compliance News: Disinfection Note Revision for TJC Infection Prevention and Control Standard

By Dean Samet, CHSP

Effective April 1, 2011, The Joint Commission made a slight revi­sion to the Note for Standard IC.02.02.01, EP 2. The following lan­guage has been deleted: “Intermediate level disinfection is used for items such as specula.”

The standard and note now read as follows: “The [organization] implements infection prevention and control activities when doing the following: Performing intermediate and high-level disinfection and sterilization of medical equipment, devices, and supplies.* (See also EC.02.04.03, EP 4.)

Note: Sterilization is used for items such as implants and surgi­cal instruments. High-level disinfection may also be used if sterilization is not possible, as is the case with flexible endoscopes.

* For further information regarding performing immediate and high-level disinfection of medical equipment, devices, and sup­plies, refer to the web site of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) at http://www.cdc.gov/hicpac/Disinfection_Ster­ilization/acknowledg.html (Guide for Disinfection and Sterilization in Healthcare Facilities, 2008).