Optimizing the Use of Enzol Enzymatic Cleaners in Healthcare: Best Practices and Pitfalls
Enzymatic cleaners are chemical substances loaded with biological enzymes which are employed for cleaning purposes. Although their applications are vast and not restricted to healthcare facilities, these enzymatic cleaners specialize in cleaning medical waste based on blood, fecal matter, urine, bodily fluids, tissue debris, etc. Among these, the Enzol enzymatic cleaners are prominent as they are effective against hard-to-remove stains, have a no-stain formula, as well as being cost-efficient.
Let us dive into the detailed use of Enzol enzymatic cleaners in healthcare facilities with a special focus on the best practices around their employment as well as the notable pitfalls.Â
Best Usage Practices of Enzol Enzymatic Cleaners in Healthcare
The Enzol enzymatic cleaners are mild but highly effective against organic matter. These cleaners can be employed in the hospitals for the following purposes:
1.     Pre-cleaning of Surgical Equipment
Before conducting a medical procedure on a patient, it is essential to clean the surgical instruments thoroughly. As these instruments and devices are not disposable, they are used again and again on different patients. Therefore, after one application, it is essential to clean, disinfect, and sterilize the items so that the risk of infection transmission can be minimized.
For this purpose, Enzol enzymatic cleaners come in handy. These are ideal for pre-cleaning instruments as well as automated and general equipment including ultrasonic cleaners, endoscope reprocessors, as well as washer sterilizers or decontaminators. All of this pre-cleaning should be done based on the manufacturer’s recommendations.
2.     Cleaning of Dental Instruments
In dentistry, the dental instruments come in direct contact with the patient’s saliva in the oral cavity. As a result, the viruses and bacteria from one person get attached to the instruments and are then transferred to the other if the instrument is not subjected to cleaning and sterilization.
Therefore, the dental instruments are first cleaned to clear the visible debris on them followed by treatment with Enzol enzymatic cleaners. The instruments can either be soaked into a solution of Enzol enzymatic cleaner and water or they can be sprayed with the mechanical cleaning agent.
Furthermore, the Enzol enzymatic cleaners can also be used along with an ultrasonic bath in dental setups. The ultrasonic bath vibrates and agitates the enzymatic solution thus resulting in increasing its reach within the dental instruments. Subsequently, the cleaning process becomes more thorough.
3.     Removal of Organic Stains
In healthcare facilities, medical clothing is used and washed or discarded every day depending upon the nature of the clothing. If these clothes are disposable, they are discarded after a single use. For instance, surgical face masks, single-use surgical gowns, headdresses, etc. However, items like lab coats, fabric-based patient gowns, bed sheets, etc. are to be washed and cleaned after every use.
However, waste, blood, and food stains on these clothing materials are often hard to deal with and often remain on the items even after machine washing. For this purpose, Enzol enzymatic cleaners can be used. The cleaner is just to be sprayed on the stain and within 10 to 15 minutes, the organic material in the stain is decomposed by the bacterial enzymes present in the cleaner. As a result, the clothing material is cleaned rapidly.
How to Use Enzol Enzymatic Cleaners for Medical Instruments?
When it comes to using the Enzol enzymatic cleaners in hospitals, the following one-step cleaning process must be followed:
· Take 1 gallon of warm water. Using the hand-operated pump attached to the Enzol enzymatic cleaners, add one fluid ounce or one pump of the cleaner into the water and mix.
· Soak the medical instruments in this mixture of water and Enzol cleaner immediately after its use has finished.
· With the help of a brush or a soft cloth, rub the instrument to ensure thorough cleaning.
· Once the cleaning is done, rinse all the instruments with water.
· Let the instruments dry. Now it is prepared for sterilization.
· Flush the used aqueous solution of Enzol enzymatic cleaner into the drains followed by a thick stream of water to ensure that the chemical is discarded properly.
Benefits of Enzol Enzymatic Cleaners
The Enzol enzymatic cleaners benefit the healthcare setups in the following ways:
1.     Compatibility with Multiple Construction Materials
As the Enzol enzymatic cleaners are formulated to stay compatible with all types of materials, these can be employed for the cleaning of items made up of metal, plastic, rubber, glass, or fabric. Therefore, any kind of medical instrument can be subjected to cleaning using the product.
2.     Superiority over Other Cleaning Agents
In comparison to the traditional ways of cleaning medical instruments, the Enzol enzymatic cleaners ensure superior cleaning as well as highly hygienic end products. It is due to the combination of enzymes present in the cleaning agent which can tackle different kinds of organic materials in the stains at the same time.
3.     Infection Control
The Enzol enzymatic cleaners can be employed to reduce the risk of infection transmission from the used medical instruments to the healthcare staff as well as the patients. This practice gives way to a healthier work environment as well as a hygienic facility to get treatment.
4.     Prevention against Corrosion
With the use of Enzol enzymatic cleaners, the instruments not only become clean but their integrity and longevity are also enhanced. This is because when the instruments become free from organic residues, the chances of discoloration, corrosion, or functional damage automatically fall. As a result, the instruments remain intact and in perfect condition to stay in use for many years to come.
5.     Aid in Sterilization
If the medical and dental instruments have debris on them, the heat or moisture generated during the sterilization process does not penetrate well into the devices. This way, even after a full cycle of sterilization, the instruments are not effectively cleaned. However, a prior cleaning with the Enzol enzymatic cleaners removes this debris and thus the sterilization process is facilitated.
Pitfalls
Despite being safe to use in healthcare facilities as well as in home settings, the Enzol enzymatic cleaners have certain pitfalls as well. These include the following:
· Respiratory Irritation
The Enzol enzymatic cleaners may result in an allergic reaction if their mist is accidentally inhaled. People who have asthma or other respiratory illnesses might experience difficulty in breathing. If this is the case, transfer the patient immediately to an open area to ease breathing. Avoid using the mouth-to-mouth method. Seek medical help immediately or call a poison center.
· Skin Allergies
In case of skin exposure, the risk of redness and itching associated with an allergic reaction becomes significant. In such cases, wash the skin with soap and water. Â
Enzymatic Cleaners at Health Supply 770: Products and Specifications
Enzymatic cleaners are the products that are employed to clean medical waste from instruments as well as clothing materials. These are rich in bacteria which produce enzymes like proteases, amylases, lipases, pectinases, and cellulases.
All of these enzymes attack different substances in the stains like proteins, carbohydrates, lipids, etc., and break them down into particles which can then be rinsed away with water. As the Enzol enzymatic cleaners find applications in multiple healthcare facilities, these are manufactured and marketed along with some other enzymatic cleaners brands.
The following section covers some of the enzymatic cleaners, including Enzol enzymatic cleaners, which are available at Health Supply 770 along with their prices and purchase links:
J& J Healthcare 2252 Detergent, Enzymatic Enzol GL
Product Details
J& J Healthcare 2252 Detergent, Enzymatic Enzol GL is the enzymatic cleaner that is often used in different healthcare facilities as well as at homes in the US due to its effective performance. Because of its fast-acting nature, the product starts acting quickly as soon as it is employed on the stain. Within minutes, the organic matter is degraded into minute particles which can then be rinsed easily with water.
The Enzol enzymatic detergent is effective against all kinds of organic debris including blood, mucous, fecal matter, urine, pieces of tissue, food stains, etc. In addition, these products also have efficacy against the stains caused by soil and dirt. Even if it is difficult to remove a stain by applying conventional cleaning methods, the Enzol enzymatic detergent can do it within no time.
Moreover, its no-stain formula ensures that the product does not leave any stains or color on the instruments after its rinsing. Also, there is no risk of the development of a film or clogging of the instrument parts because of the product.
This J& J Healthcare 2252 Enzol enzymatic cleaner is also suitable for use in conjunction with ultrasonic baths. Their efficacy in cleaning ultrasonic cleaners, washer decontaminators, as well as automatic endoscopes, is also well-established.
In addition to these features, the J& J Healthcare 2252 Enzol enzymatic detergent does not alter the pH of the instruments as well as the medical clothing items. Apart from this, the devices are also effectively prevented from corrosion which results in enhanced life of the items.
10-4400 Metrex EmPower Cleaner Fragrance-Free 4/CS
$111.80
(4 boxes per case)
Product Details
Like the Enzol enzymatic cleaners, 10-4400 Metrex EmPower fragrance-free cleaners are also well-known in the US. These solutions are loaded with proteolytic enzymes as well as amylases and lipases.
This complex mixture then ensures that the product works best against all kinds of stains including those of blood, body fluids, urine, feces, food, soil, body tissues, etc. These can be used with both cold and hot water. Particularly, the proteolytic enzymes break protein-based materials in blood stains.
In addition, their fragrance-free nature allows the users to remain safe from respiratory irritation, a problem often associated with Enzol enzymatic cleaners which have a mint fragrance. According to the manufacturer, these 10-4400 Metrex EmPower fragrance-free cleaners do not corrode any kind of instrument as their corrosive nature is even less than that of distilled water. Hence, dental and surgical instruments are safe when subjected to these products.
Moreover, the EmPower enzymatic cleaners are often used for pre-cleaning critical as well as semi-critical medical items followed by high-level disinfection or sterilization.
*Note: The prices mentioned in the article are taken from the Health Supply 770 website. They may vary over time.
The Enzol enzymatic cleaners mentioned in the article, along with many other medical supplies, can be ordered from Health Supply 770, a reliable name when it comes to medical products. They have a 30-day money-back guarantee and provide your products to you in the shortest possible time. Click the links given at the end of the article to check out the different types of enzymatic cleaners including Enzol enzymatic cleaners.
Bottom Line
Being in a healthcare facility means exposure to organic waste on a daily basis. Whether it’s blood or fecal waste, the risk of contracting an infection never really fades away. However, this risk can be minimized by thoroughly cleaning the medical clothing, surgical instruments, testing equipment, etc.
For this purpose, Enzol enzymatic cleaners are employed. These enzyme-based solutions effectively clear away the organic matter in the waste. As a result, the items become clean and free from germs.
As these Enzol enzymatic cleaners are of great importance when it comes to cleaning medical and dental instruments, it is best to buy them in bulk and store them in healthcare facilities. In this regard, for ordering different kinds of Enzol enzymatic cleaners, reliable vendors like Health Supply 770 should be approached. They ensure the provision of quality products along with satisfactory services.
PhD Scholar (Pharmaceutics), MPhil (Pharmaceutics), Pharm D, B. Sc.
Uzma Zafar is a dedicated and highly motivated pharmaceutical professional currently pursuing her PhD in Pharmaceutics at the Punjab University College of Pharmacy, University of the Punjab. With a comprehensive academic and research background, Uzma has consistently excelled in her studies, securing first division throughout her educational journey.
Uzma’s passion for the pharmaceutical field is evident from her active engagement during her Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D) program, where she not only mastered industrial techniques and clinical case studies but also delved into marketing strategies and management skills.