Pharmaceutical Manufacturing > Surface Decontamination

Maintaining microbial control in manufacturing facilities requires a thoughtful program to disinfect a variety of surfaces. Successful control programs require attention to the validation program, chemistry selection, application methods, and personnel training as well as facility specific issues

The STERIS difference is the industry’s finest technical support in addition to the leading contamination control products. Our Technical Service group’s expertise comes from years of developing and refining validated contamination control programs at our Customers facilities worldwide. We have the cleaning programs to help put your facility in compliance and the support and expertise to keep you in compliance.

Typical Surface Disinfection Program Issues

Application methods
Physical methods such as wiping and moping can provide effective removal of microbes and other bioburden in addition to chemical inactivation. The standard operating procedures must limit cross contamination and require substantial labor and training to maintain.

Chemical only methods like using foggers or VHP® Biodecontamintion systems require less labor and training to maintain, but commonly require more extensive validation and preparation for application.

Rotation
A single class of disinfectants (i.e., phenolic or quaternary ammonium based) would be used on a daily basis.

A sporicide or sterilant would be used based on the frequency of spore results in your environmental data. This may range from weekly, monthly or quarterly

A rinsing strategy at a defined frequency (daily, weekly etc.).

Residue rinsing
Almost all chemistries leave some residue; even hydrogen peroxide or ethanol solutions have non-volatile stabilizers or denaturants that remain on surfaces. However, water and isopropanol are nearly residue free. STERIS typically recommends using water or isopropanol on a routine basis to limit residue build-up. Formulated cleaners can also be used to remove accumulated residues if required.