Highlights
- Long-term care homes face recurring outbreaks of C. difficile, MRSA, and norovirus
- Shared spaces and high-touch surfaces drive rapid transmission
- Traditional disinfectants often fail due to long contact times and harsh chemistry
- Staff exposure to strong chemicals can reduce compliance
- Hypochlorous acid (HOCl) delivers rapid kill times without toxic residues
- Safer disinfectants support consistency, compliance, and resident safety
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Why Long-Term Care Facilities Struggle With Infection Control
Long-term care and nursing homes are among the most challenging environments for infection control. Residents live in close proximity, share dining and recreation areas, and often require hands-on care. Many also have weakened immune systems, making even minor lapses in hygiene a serious risk.
In Canada, Clostridioides difficile, MRSA, and norovirus continue to cause repeated outbreaks in long-term care homes. These pathogens can survive for extended periods on environmental surfaces, contributing to cycles of re-contamination even when routine cleaning is performed (Public Health Ontario IPAC guidance).
The issue is rarely a lack of effort. Instead, it’s that what doesn’t work is still widely used.
What Doesn’t Work: Common Failures in Nursing Home Cleaning
Long Contact Times
Many conventional disinfectants require several minutes of wet contact time to inactivate pathogens. In real-world care settings, surfaces often dry too quickly, reducing effectiveness and leaving organisms behind.
Harsh Chemical Exposure
Bleach, quaternary ammonium compounds, and alcohol-based products can irritate skin and lungs. Repeated exposure increases staff discomfort and may lead to inconsistent use or shortcutting.
Residue and Surface Damage
Chemical residues can build up on bed rails, grab bars, and shared equipment. Over time, this affects both surface integrity and resident comfort.
Inconsistent Application
When disinfectants are unpleasant or unsafe for frequent use, compliance drops. Infection control protocols fail not because staff don’t care—but because the products are impractical.
What Works: Smarter Infection Control in Long-Term Care
Effective infection control depends on three things: speed, safety, and consistency.
Fast-acting disinfectants improve real-world results. Products that are safe to use repeatedly improve compliance. Simplified protocols reduce errors.
This is where hypochlorous acid disinfectant technology offers a meaningful advantage.
Why Hypochlorous Acid (HOCl) Fits Long-Term Care Environments
Hypochlorous acid is a powerful antimicrobial produced naturally by the human immune system. Stabilized HOCl formulations have been shown to inactivate bacteria and viruses rapidly while maintaining a strong safety profile (Block & Rowan, 2020).
Peer-reviewed research supports HOCl’s effectiveness against:
- C. difficile
- MRSA
- Norovirus
Unlike harsh chemicals, HOCl works in seconds and breaks down into non-toxic components. This makes it suitable for frequent, daily use in resident-facing environments without the respiratory or skin irritation associated with traditional disinfectants.
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High-Risk Areas Often Missed in Care Homes
Infection prevention guidance for long-term care emphasizes high-touch surfaces, including:
- Bathroom grab bars and call buttons
- Bed rails and remote controls
- Walkers, wheelchairs, and mobility aids
- Dining tables and chair arms
- Staff workstations and shared electronics
Targeting these areas with a fast-acting, residue-free disinfectant significantly reduces transmission risk (Public Health Ontario, CLRI).
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): Infection Control in Long-Term Care
Q1. Why do outbreaks keep recurring in nursing homes?
A. Environmental persistence of pathogens, insufficient contact time, and inconsistent product use all contribute to repeated outbreaks (NCBI clinical reviews).
Q2. Is bleach still used in long-term care facilities?
A. Yes, but concerns about fumes, residues, and surface damage are driving many facilities to safer alternatives for routine disinfection.
Q3. Is hypochlorous acid safe for daily use around residents?
A. Yes. HOCl’s gentle profile allows frequent use without the health risks associated with harsher chemicals.
Q4. Does HOCl leave residues on surfaces?
A. No. Properly formulated HOCl breaks down into substances naturally present in the body, leaving no harmful residue.
A Safer Path Forward for Long-Term Care
Infection control in long-term care isn’t about stronger chemicals—it’s about better chemistry. When disinfectants are fast, gentle, and easy to use, compliance improves and outbreaks become easier to control.
CleanSmart’s stabilized hypochlorous acid solutions support safer, more effective infection control in environments where residents and staff deserve the highest level of protection.
Upgrade your infection control strategy today.
Explore our School & Workplace Collection, learn more about the 1 L Surface Cleaner & Disinfectant, or Contact Us to discuss long-term care applications.
Sources
Peer-Reviewed Research
- Block MS, Rowan BG. Hypochlorous Acid: A Review of Its Disinfectant Efficacy and Safety. Article
- Otter JA et al. Transmission of pathogens via the healthcare environment. Article
Long-Term Care Infection Control (Canada)
- Public Health Ontario – Infection Prevention and Control for Long-Term Care Homes: Best Practices (PDF)
- Centre for Learning, Research & Innovation in Long-Term Care (CLRI) – IPAC Resources
Pathogen-Specific Clinical References
- StatPearls / NCBI – Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA)
- PubMed – Clostridioides difficile Infection PubMed
- PubMed – Norovirus