| Sumario: | Environmental services programs may choose dilutable or ready-to-use (RTU) disinfectants. Dilutable products are generally less expensive but may have greater potential for incorrect use. We conducted a time and motion evaluation of environmental services post-discharge and daily room cleaning and disinfection practices before and after a facility-wide switch from dilutable to RTU quaternary ammonium disinfectants. Observations were completed to determine the time required for tasks, appropriateness of product use, and percentage of high-touch sites wiped. Personnel were graded using a standardized compliance scale (17-20, highly compliant). We observed 40 total hours of post-discharge room cleaning and disinfection by 10 personnel before and 9 after the product substitution. After the substitution, mean compliance scores increased from 11.5 to 17.7 (P =.003) and there was a reduction in time gathering supplies (3.8 vs 13.2 minutes; P =.002) but not in total time per post-discharge room (50.8 vs 65.2 minutes; P =.08). Noncompliance with dilutable disinfectants was often due to incorrect product use, including inappropriate mixing of disinfectants. For daily rooms, less than 3 minutes was spent wiping high-touch surfaces. In our facility, switching from dilutable to RTU disinfectants was associated with reduced time gathering supplies and improved compliance with recommended practices. • Dilutable or ready-to-use (RTU) disinfectants are commonly used in health care. • We conducted a time and motion evaluation before and after a switch to RTU wipes. • Compliance scores increased after the switch to RTU wipes. • There was a non-significant reduction in time for post-discharge cleaning.
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