Disinfectants and antiseptics must be effective and reliable to prevent the spread of infections and keep patients safe. The European standard, EN14347, is important as it provides guidelines for testing the basic sporicidal activity of chemical disinfectants and antiseptics. This article explores the importance of EN 14347 for developing disinfectants to be used in healthcare sectors.
Understanding EN 14347
EN14347 specifies a methodological approach for determining the sporicidal activity of chemical disinfectants and antiseptics. EN 14347 is a phase 1 suspension test applicable for disinfectants in their early stage of development. The standard was created to address the need to establish a uniform standard testing protocol that could evaluate the effectiveness of disinfectants against highly resilient bacterial spores. It mandates testing against dormant spores of Bacillus subtilis and Bacillus cereus chosen for their relevance and resistance characteristics which serve as measures for sporicidal efficacy.
The importance of EN 14347 for hospital disinfectants
The testing of sporicidal efficacy, as outlined in EN 14347, is very important for the disinfectants being developed for use in the healthcare sector. It ensures that disinfectants and antiseptics are capable of eliminating highly resistant bacterial spores and facilitates the development of more effective and safer products by providing manufacturers with a clear picture of sporicidal activity. Let us explore the various impacts of EN14347 in the healthcare sector.
Maintaining sterility in healthcare
The healthcare sector contains various environments with unique challenges that includes places from operation theaters to outpatient clinics. The ever-present risk of infection in the healthcare sector highlights the need for effective disinfection protocols. EN 14347 for hospital disinfectants addresses this issue by offering a thorough method for testing the sporicidal activity of disinfectants during the early stages of their development. This ensures that the disinfectants used are both effective and dependable across different conditions.
This standard is very important for keeping environments sterile and to prevent hospital acquired infections which are the major threats to patient safety and may lead to disease outbreaks.
Fighting resistant pathogens
Bacterial spores can survive in extreme conditions which makes their eradication difficult with regular disinfectants. EN 14347 was developed to improve healthcare safety by focusing on the use of disinfectants that claim to have sporicidal activity. This standard provides methods for testing the effectiveness of these disinfectants in controlling spore-forming bacterial infections. This standard is essential for protecting the health of patients and maintaining safe hospital environments.
Regulatory Compliance and Product Development
In recent times, healthcare practices are being examined more than ever, thus adherence to the disinfectants evaluated as per standards such as EN 14347 has become crucial. This standard not only serves as a regulatory guideline ensuring compliance with health and safety directives but also guides manufacturers in the development of advanced and innovative disinfectant products. Through a clear exposition of testing methodologies and requirements, EN 14347 promotes innovation in product formulation creating the way for more potent and user-friendly disinfectants. Consequently, healthcare facilities benefit from access to a variety of validated products enabling them to implement the most effective infection control strategies.
Educating and Empowering Healthcare Providers
Apart from its regulatory and technical contributions, EN 14347 also helps educate healthcare workers about the importance of sporicidal disinfection. By explaining the criteria for sporicidal activity, the standard gives healthcare professionals the information they need to choose and use disinfectants wisely. This knowledge helps ensure that all areas of healthcare are protected against the threat of infection from everyday patient care to complex surgical procedures.
EN 14347 is a critical tool in the ongoing effort to control infections in healthcare settings. It ensures that disinfectants and antiseptics are effective against tough bacterial spores. The standard helps in not only the development of more effective products but also supports healthcare providers in maintaining high standards of infection control.
Why MIS?
MIS plays a critical role in the healthcare industry by offering comprehensive testing and validation services that adhere to EN14347 and other relevant standards. By leveraging advanced microbiological testing techniques, MIS assists manufacturers in exploring the complexities of product development and regulatory compliance. Additionally, MIS provides valuable insights that help healthcare facilities choose the most effective disinfectants and antiseptics ultimately contributing to enhanced patient safety and infection control.
At Microbial Investigations Switzerland (MIS), we are committed to delivering customized testing services for disinfectant and antiseptic products across a wide range of applications including medical, veterinary, domestic, and more. Leveraging our cutting-edge laboratory facilities and the expertise of our scientists, we’ve crafted comprehensive testing and analysis services tailored to deliver precise and reliable results.
For a quotation on the EN14347 test or to connect with our microbiology scientists for consultation, reach out to us now.
