Ratgeber-Banner: Desinfektionsmittel für die Praxis

Choosing the right disinfectants for your practice

5 min reading time

Choose disinfectants for a medical practice according to the area of use: hands, skin, surfaces and instruments. What matters is the declared spectrum of activity, such as limited virucidal or virucidal, listing in the VAH list, the contact time stated by the manufacturer, material compatibility and whether a concentrate or a ready-to-use product fits your workflows better.

Four areas of use, four product groups

In a practice, disinfectants are used for very different purposes. There is no single product for every area, because the requirements for skin tolerance, material compatibility and spectrum of activity differ considerably. The regulatory classification also varies: depending on the product, hand disinfectants are authorised as medicinal products or biocides, surface disinfectants are usually biocidal products, and instrument disinfectants are medical devices.

Hand disinfection: mostly alcohol-based preparations for hygienic and surgical hand disinfection, found under Hand disinfection.
Skin antisepsis: preparations for skin disinfection before punctures and injections, tinted or untinted, see Skin disinfection.
Surface disinfection: concentrates, sprays and wipes for surfaces close to patients and for medical devices with surface contact, see Surface disinfection.
Instrument disinfection: cleaning and disinfection solutions for manual or machine reprocessing, see Instrument disinfection.

VAH list and RKI list: the difference

The VAH list of the German Association for Applied Hygiene (Verbund für Angewandte Hygiene) covers disinfectants whose efficacy has been tested using recognised methods and assessed by an expert commission. It is the usual reference for routine, preventive disinfection in practices and hospitals. Make sure the product is listed for exactly the area of use you need, such as hand disinfection or surface disinfection.

The RKI list of the Robert Koch Institute, by contrast, applies to disinfection measures ordered by the authorities under the German Infection Protection Act. It is usually not decisive for everyday practice, but may be required in special situations. Your hygiene plan defines which list is relevant for your facility.

Reading the spectrum of activity correctly

The spectrum of activity describes which groups of pathogens a product is effective against according to the manufacturer's information and testing. The terms for viruses follow a classification based on recommendations of the Robert Koch Institute. The following overview helps with purchasing.

Term	Meaning	Purchasing note
bactericidal	effective against bacteria	basic requirement of almost all products
yeasticidal / fungicidal	effective against yeasts or fungi	yeasticidal is the common basic claim
tuberculocidal / mycobactericidal	effective against tuberculosis pathogens or mycobacteria	important if the hygiene plan requires it
limited virucidal	effective against enveloped viruses	typical claim for standard products
limited virucidal PLUS	additionally against adeno-, noro- and rotaviruses	useful for areas with a corresponding risk
virucidal	effective against enveloped and non-enveloped viruses	broadest virus spectrum, often longer contact time

Always check which contact time applies to a given spectrum of activity. Many products only reach a broader spectrum with a longer contact time or a higher concentration. The exact application is defined by the hygiene plan and the manufacturer's instructions.

Contact time, concentrate or ready-to-use

Short contact times make implementation easier in everyday practice, especially for surfaces between two patients. Compare the contact times of different products for the spectrum of activity your hygiene plan requires.

Concentrates are diluted with water to make a working solution. They save storage space, but need a dosing system and documentation of how long the solution may be used. Ready-to-use products such as sprays, solutions and disinfectant wipes can be used immediately and avoid dosing errors. Wipe dispenser systems that are filled with your own solution are a middle way.

Also consider material compatibility. Many device manufacturers approve specific disinfectants for their surfaces. For sensitive materials such as displays, plastics or synthetic leather, alcohol-free or reduced-alcohol products are often the right choice.

Dispensers, storage and documentation

For hand disinfection, wall-mounted dispensers with an elbow lever or touch-free operation have proven useful. Make sure that dispenser and container size match, as many dispensers are designed for specific bottle formats.

Alcohol-based disinfectants are usually flammable. Storage and quantities follow the safety data sheet and the rules for hazardous substances. Keep the safety data sheets of all products in use at hand and note the opening date when the manufacturer specifies a limited shelf life after opening.

Purchasing checklist

Define the area of use: hands, skin, surfaces or instruments
Clarify the required spectrum of activity according to the hygiene plan
Check the VAH listing for the relevant area of use
Compare contact times for the required spectrum of activity
Choose between concentrate and ready-to-use product
Check material compatibility with devices and surfaces
Plan suitable dispensers and container sizes
Take safety data sheets and storage conditions into account

To complement hand hygiene, the article Medical gloves compared offers guidance on choosing disposable gloves.

Related categories

Frequently asked questions

What does "limited virucidal" mean?

A limited virucidal product is effective against enveloped viruses. "Limited virucidal PLUS" additionally covers adeno-, noro- and rotaviruses, and "virucidal" also covers all non-enveloped viruses.

Is one disinfectant enough for hands and surfaces?

Usually not. Hand and surface disinfectants are authorised differently and designed for different requirements. Use each product only for the area it is intended for.

What role does the VAH list play in purchasing?

The VAH list is the usual reference for preventive disinfection in practices and hospitals. Many hygiene plans require VAH-listed products for the relevant area of use.

Are disinfectant wipes better than sprays?

Wipes avoid spray mist and make even wetting easier, while sprays are suitable for hard-to-reach areas. Your hygiene plan defines which form is appropriate.

Where can I find standards such as EN 1500 or EN 14476?

These test standards are usually stated in the manufacturer's product data sheet. EN 1500 relates to hygienic hand disinfection, EN 14476 to testing virucidal efficacy.

Compare products now in the Hygiene category. Looking for a specific preparation or a particular container size? Use our product request and established suppliers will get back to you.