It’s Time to Revisit Your Sanitation Strategy
Studies conducted by various medical specialists have reported that several viruses, including the novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) can survive up to nine days on an inanimate surface of either plastic, glass, or metal. Although it only takes one touch to transmit these illnesses, frequent and adequate sanitation procedures can help diminish the spread of germs in little time.
As numbers continue to escalate concerning the spread of COVID-19, TPI has been evermore committed to providing crucial support and guidance. By establishing safe and efficient solutions, we strive to protect both your business and your teams. Partnering with Zebra Technologies, our mobility experts are closely monitoring and developing best practices to ensure your devices remain safe and productive without endangering your workforce.
Cleaning, Disinfection, and Sanitation – They’re Not the Same
Zebra MC9300
When handling health crises such as COVID-19, it is important to discern the differences between disinfection protocols. The Center of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) outlines three main approaches to mitigating germ spread, applicable for even the everyday illnesses such as the common cold or flu.
● Cleaning — While the less intensive of the three, surface cleaning can help prevent risks by removing seen pathogens from your devices, such as dirt, dust, and splatters. As a matter of fact, both the CDC and the World Health Organization (WHO) highly recommend consistent surface cleaning as a key strategy to minimize the risk of COVID-19 exposure. Moreover, surface cleaning directly targets high-risk cross-contamination areas such as handles, shared handheld devices, and touchscreens.
● Disinfections — Normally conducted after surface cleaning, disinfection outright kills bacteria and viruses that may have been left behind. Consumer-grade devices may be harder to disinfect since powerful —and usually more hash— disinfectants can harm your device. When disinfecting enterprise-grade devices that aren’t made for healthcare, Zebra Technologies recommends referring to your device’s User Guide to follow proper measures.[1] Persistence of coronaviruses on inanimate surfaces and their inactivation with biocidal agents Kampf, G. et al. Journal of Hospital Infection, Volume 104, Issue 3, 246 – 251.[1] Center of Disease Control and Prevention. How to Clean and Disinfect Schools to Prevent the Flu. Jul 31, 2018.
● Sanitization — Combining both of the above initiatives, sanitation lowers the number of germs on any given surface by systematic cleaning and disinfection. Although it may be difficult to set a proper sanitation cycle for your consumer devices, it is crucial to set a schedule for any shared handheld device. All Zebra handhelds are designed to withstand harsh conditions, including chemical exposure to ensure safe usage.
Dedicated to our clients’ safety, TPI continues to partner with you to develop comprehensive and individualized strategies to benefit your entire operation, from device deployment to proper inspection and maintenance. Contact our mobility team today to learn more about how you can implement more best practices into your organization.