During an inspection, documents matter as much as products. Romanian Ministry of Health Order no. 1761/2021 requires every healthcare facility to organise cleaning and disinfection as a programme, with written procedures, risk-based frequencies and signed records. This article summarises what must be in place and how to build a useful schedule.
In short
- The facility has a cleaning and disinfection programme with operating procedures and monitoring, covering routine, periodic and terminal disinfection.
- Frequency is set according to the risk of each surface (likelihood of contamination, frequency of touch, patient vulnerability).
- Each room has a daily schedule, signed by the person who performed the operation; high-level disinfection has a separate register.
What Order 1761/2021 requires
- A cleaning and disinfection programme, with operating procedures and monitoring arrangements, covering routine, periodic and terminal disinfection.
- Written procedures describing the methods and frequency of cleaning, disinfection and sterilisation for devices, equipment and surfaces.
- A daily schedule in each room where cleaning and disinfection are carried out, with the type of operation, the time and the signature of the person in charge. Outpatient facilities may keep a centralised schedule.
- A register for high-level disinfection of heat-sensitive devices.
- Authorised products, their documentation (authorisation, technical data sheet) and training of the staff who use them.
Step 1: assess surface risk
The Order proposes a score for each surface, based on three criteria: likelihood of contamination (1–3 points), frequency of touch (1 or 3 points) and patient vulnerability (0 or 1 point). A total of 7 indicates high risk, 4–6 medium risk and 2–3 low risk; the frequency of cleaning and disinfection increases with risk.
| Example surface | Contamination | Touch | Vulnerable patient | Total and risk |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bed rail in an intensive care ward | 3 | 3 | 1 | 7 – high |
| Door handle of a consulting room | 2 | 3 | 0 | 5 – medium |
| Window sill in an administrative office | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 – low |
The scores above are examples of how the method is applied; the actual assessment is carried out by the facility’s team, together with the healthcare-associated infection prevention service.
Step 2: build the room schedule
An effective schedule is short, displayed in plain sight and filled in in real time. Minimum columns:
| Column | What to record |
|---|---|
| Date and time | The exact time of the operation |
| Area or surface | For example: floor, high-touch surfaces, washroom |
| Type of operation | Cleaning, routine disinfection, terminal disinfection |
| Product and concentration | Trade name and concentration of the working solution |
| Person in charge | Name and signature |
| Check | Signature of the person who checks, where the procedure requires it |
Step 3: monitor efficacy
For routine monitoring, the Order recommends qualitative methods: direct observation using checklists, marking surfaces with fluorescent substances visible under UV before and after cleaning, and ATP or NAD measurement. Bacteriological sampling is reserved for epidemiological investigations or one-off assessments, at the recommendation of the infection prevention service.
Common mistakes
- Schedule filled in at the end of the day, “from memory”.
- Solution concentration not recorded or different from the procedure.
- The same cloth or mop used in areas of different risk; the Order requires a dedicated mop for each risk area.
- Unlabelled products at the point of use: the Order requires the name, batch and expiry date on the container.
- Staff not trained when a new product is introduced.
Frequently asked questions
Who draws up the cleaning and disinfection programme?
The healthcare facility, through designated staff, under the coordination of the healthcare-associated infection prevention service.
Do individual medical practices need a schedule for each room?
The Order allows outpatient facilities to keep a centralised schedule for the whole unit.
Which product documents must be kept?
Proof of authorisation of the biocidal product by the National Commission for Biocidal Products and the technical data sheet; for disinfectants classified as medical devices, the declaration of conformity and the related certificates.
GM 2000 products for this application
Concentrate for surfaces, with different concentrations according to the intended effect.
View product sheet →References
- Romanian Ministry of Health Order no. 1761/2021 approving the Technical Rules on cleaning, disinfection and sterilisation in public and private healthcare facilities, Annexes 1 and 2.
Article reviewed by the GM 2000 technical team. Last updated: 22.10.2026. Product information is taken from the authorisations issued by the Romanian Ministry of Health; for other applications, refer to the label and the technical data sheet.
Use biocides safely. Always read the label and product information before use.
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