You must have heard alcohols being used in the hospitals. Ethyl alcohol and isopropyl alcohol are the most popular alcohols used in hospitals.
Action:
They are rapidly bactericidal (kills the bacteria) to most organisms. They act by denaturation of proteins.
Uses :
Alcohol (60-80%) is used for various purposes.
Alcohol based handrub : Sterillium, a popular commercial product
Disinfecting smaller non critical instruments such as thermometers, which are immersed in alcohol for 10-15 minutes.
Disinfection of small medical items/surfaces such as rubber stoppers, vaccine bottles, etc.
Disinfection of external surfaces of equipment such as stethoscopes, ventilators, ultrasound machines, etc.
Spirit (70%) : Used as a skin antiseptic.
Disadvantages of using alcohol:
Flammable and must be stored in a cool, well - ventilated area.
Evaporate rapidly, making exposure time difficult to achieve unless the items are immersed.
It may damage lenses.
It is Inactivated by organic matter.
Phenols
Phenol was the first widely used antiseptic and disinfectant.
Uses :
Cresol, and lysol are the common phenolics used for disinfecting environmental surfaces (e.g. bedside tables, bedrails, and laboratory surfaces) and non critical medical devices. They are toxic to skin, hence not used as antiseptics.
Certain phenols are compatible with skin and are widely used as antiseptics.
Advantages:
Phenols are the only ILD that retain activity in the presence of organic materials.
Disadvantages:
They can cause jaundice in infants and therefore should not be used in nurseries.
Thank you.