What type of disinfectant should be used to clean surfaces between patient encounters?

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Surfaces touched between patients should be disinfected with an EPA-registered disinfectant. These products are tested and labeled for healthcare surface disinfection, providing proven broad-spectrum activity against common pathogens and clear directions for use, including the appropriate contact time and any pre-cleaning steps. This ensures the surfaces are really disinfected, not just wiped down. Soap and water cleans dirt and debris but does not reliably inactivate many microbes on surfaces. An alcohol spray can be useful in some situations, but it may not be appropriate for every surface or provide the required level of disinfection with the proper contact time. Not disinfecting at all leaves surfaces contaminated and increases cross-contamination risk.