AAHA AAHA Guidelines Procedures How often should I clean...?

How often should I clean...?

Recommended Cleaning and Disinfection Frequency for Common Environmental Surfaces in Veterinary Practices

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Horizontal surfaces with low patient contact (e.g., front desk, records area)

Procedures
  1. Clean regularly with detergent (e.g., biweekly)
  2. Clean and disinfect promptly if visibly soiled with feces, urine, or body fluids

Special Considerations

Electrostatic wipes (can be used to remove loose fur and dust)

Horizontal surfaces with high patient contact (e.g., exam tables, scale, kennels)

Procedures
  1. Clean and disinfect between all patients. Surface should be cleaned of visible debris, and then a disinfectant should be applied. Adequate contact time should be ensured, as per label directions.
  2. Provide enhanced disinfection after contact with high-risk patients (e.g., diarrheic). Higher-level disinfection (i.e., oxidizing agent) should be used if lower-level disinfectants are used routinely

Special Considerations

Electrostatic wipes (can be used to remove loose fur and dust)

Vertical surfaces (e.g., walls, doors, windows including blinds/curtains)

Procedures
  1. Clean regularly with a detergent (e.g., monthly)
  2. Clean and disinfect if visibly soiled with feces, urine, or body fluids

Special Considerations

Electrostatic wipes (can be used to remove loose fur and dust)

Hard floors (e.g., tile, sealed cement)

Procedures
  1. Clean and disinfect daily
  2. Clean and disinfect after potentially infectious patients
  3. Clean and disinfect if visibly soiled with feces, urine, or body fluids

Special Considerations

Electrostatic wipes (can be used to remove loose fur and dust)

Carpets and upholstery

Procedures
  1. Vacuum regularly (e.g., weekly)*
  2. Shampoo or steam clean if necessary to remove visible dirt and debris

Special Considerations

Cleaning is especially important for these surfaces as they are difficult or impossible to disinfect

*Do not vacuum if there may have been contact with an animal shedding an infectious pathogen (i.e., ringworm), unless the vacuum is equipped with a high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter.

These guidelines are supported by a generous educational grant from Virox Animal Health™.