For hospitals, restaurants and other facilities, switching cleaning, disinfection or infection prevention products may seem like a straightforward purchasing decision. But that decision’s impact extends well beyond the cost of the product itself. A new solution can affect employee workflows, compliance, surface compatibility, supply continuity and ultimately the effectiveness of an infection prevention program.

Before making a change, organizations should take a broader view of what they need the product to accomplish and what it will take to integrate it successfully into their environment.

Why businesses consider switching

Cost is often a primary consideration when organizations evaluate new products. But there are other factors that can prompt a change, including infection rates, staff compliance and whether an existing product fits effectively into current workflows.

In food service, for example, traditional rag-and-bucket systems require employees to prepare solutions and follow protocols for changing those solutions. Ensuring that those requirements are consistently followed can be challenging.

Ease of use can be equally important in healthcare and other settings. Some infection prevention products require employees to follow multiple steps for a specified amount of time. Products that simplify those steps can make it easier for employees to follow protocols correctly and consistently.

Beyond cost: What should businesses consider?

One of the biggest mistakes organizations make when switching products is focusing too heavily on cost. A lower price doesn’t necessarily mean greater value if the product doesn’t deliver the expected performance or if employees don’t use it correctly or consistently. Before making a change, organizations should consider:

• Quality and performance: Evaluate whether the product delivers the efficacy, ease of use, and overall performance needed for the intended application. A product that supports better compliance or outcomes may provide greater value over time, even if its initial cost is higher.
• Supply reliability: Consistent manufacturing and a reliable supply chain are essential to ensure the product remains available when needed.
• Product support and expertise: Knowledgeable support can help answer questions about specific applications and how the product should be used in a particular environment.
• Relevance of antimicrobial claims: More claims do not necessarily mean a product is better. The key is whether the claims are relevant to mode of transmission, use cases and circumstances that matter in a particular setting. Evaluating those claims requires expertise, not simply comparing numbers.

• Surface compatibility: Determine whether the product is compatible with the surfaces and devices where it will be used, including the potential for irreversible damage such as cracking plastics or corroding metals.
• Residue: Consider whether the product could leave visual residue. Even if residue doesn’t damage a surface, it can affect perceptions of cleanliness.

Implementation and workflow

A new product must fit how employees actually work. Organizations should have a clear plan to transition from the old product to the new one, especially when both products may be available during the changeover.

Without a clear transition plan, employees may continue using the old product, switch back and forth, or mix the old and new products. Mixing products is not recommended because different chemistries may interact on a surface, potentially affecting the surface’s condition or leaving residue behind. Organizations should also consider where they will store the new product and how employees will access it. For example, a package of wipes will require a different point of use than a rag-and-bucket system. Easy access helps encourage consistent use and compliance.

The importance of staff training and education

Training is critical when introducing a new product, particularly when it changes an established workflow.

Employees may overuse a product, use it in the wrong locations, or simply be unfamiliar with the new workflow. Training helps establish the correct behavior and reinforces why the new process is different.

Change itself can also create hesitation. Employees are busy, and learning a new process can feel like another demand on their time. Training can provide reassurance that the product will perform as needed while demonstrating that the new workflow can ultimately help save time.

The most effective training does not have to be complicated. Instructional materials should be straightforward and easy to use. In-servicing can also provide an opportunity to walk end users through how, where and when to use a product.

Making new products easier to use

Simplicity should be a priority. Employees should not have to memorize a large amount of information or navigate an unnecessarily complicated process to use a product correctly.

For example, ready-to-use (RTU) wipes can help simplify workflows by eliminating steps such as measuring, mixing or preparing solutions, making it easier for employees to follow protocols consistently. When products are easier to use correctly, organizations can improve compliance and outcomes while giving employees greater confidence and peace of mind that they are following the appropriate procedures.

Accessibility also matters. Providing brackets, accessories, and appropriate points of use can make products easier for employees to find and incorporate into their normal workflow.

Looking ahead: Evolving needs and new technologies

Organizations will continue to look for solutions that balance efficacy, compliance, and ease of use as infection prevention needs evolve. Emerging technologies such as UVC disinfection are creating opportunities to explore applications beyond the healthcare settings where they are currently used.

Sustainability is also becoming an increasingly important consideration in product development. Organizations want to reduce plastics and other environmental impacts without compromising efficacy or efficiency. This is driving exploration of approaches such as bulk packaging to reduce overall plastic use and shipping costs, removing colorants from canisters and using compostable cleaning wipes for industrial food care.

Ultimately, organizations need products that deliver the right combination of efficacy, compliance, ease of use, quality, support, and supply. A successful transition is not simply about replacing one product with another. It is about finding a solution that works for the environment, the people using it, and the infection prevention goals it is intended to support.

For more information on safe and effective disinfection, visit wearepdi.com/en-us.