UC SAN DIEGO HEALTH

TOY CLEANING POLICIES AND PROCEDURES

I. PURPOSE
a. To reduce communicable disease transmission risk among patients seen in inpatient
and ambulatory settings.

II. DEFINITIONS
a. Hospital-approved detergent disinfectant: EPA-registered disinfectants approved by
institution’s Infection Control Committee to meet the overall needs of the health care
facility routine cleaning and disinfection; used according to manufacturer’s
recommendations for amount, dilution and contact time sufficient to remove
pathogens from surfaces of rooms where colonized or infected individuals are housed.

b. Moveable toys: books, blocks, dolls, etc. are discouraged for communal use. Provide
toys/items that the patient can take home. Therapeutic items used for distraction,
instruction, etc. must be cleaned after each use.

c. Toys: all infant and toddler toys, dolls, games, books, puzzles, crafts, art supplies, and
all electronic equipment.

III. POLICY
a. Hand hygiene is to be used prior to handling toys
b. Handle moveable toys in one of three ways after each use:
i. Cleaned/disinfected with hospital-approved disinfectant
ii. Given to the child
iii. Discarded
c. Soft toys (i.e. stuffed animals/toys) and mouthed-toys (i.e. teething rings) are single-
patient use only. Communal soft toys will not be permitted.
d. Any toys taken into isolation rooms must be cleaned and disinfected after their use. If
the toy cannot be cleaned and disinfected, it is to be discarded.
e. Written procedures for cleaning toys are to be posted in all areas where toys are being
stored.

IV. GENERAL INFORMATION

a. Use gloves at all times when cleaning toys
b. Toy Materials and Design
i. Toys with small pieces that can be swallowed are not permitted
ii. If stuffed, plush, or cloth toys are brought in with a patient, keep it with the
patient
iii. Toys are to be non-porous and able to be cleaned (preferably plastic)
c. Check for unsafe and broken toys; discard those that are questionable
 d. New toys do not need to be pre-cleaned prior to first use
V. CLEANING AGENTS (UC San Diego Health approved)
a. CaviWipes (Germicidal Wipes) *Wear gloves at all times
b. CaviCide 1 (Surface Disinfectant) when using cleaning agents!

VI. CLEANING PROCEDURES

a. Books, puzzles and games
i. Using hospital approved disinfectant wipes, wipe front and back of electronics
(avoid areas of outlets, batteries, etc.) books, puzzles and games
ii. Allow to remain visibly wet for 3 minutes
iii. Set up to air dry; Leave boxes for games and puzzles open to air-dry
iv. If items are not able to tolerate excessive moisture, wipe surface with a
sanitized cloth:
1. Allow 2 minutes wet contact time. Follow this with a surface wipe with
a wet cloth (water only) if surface can be negatively affected by the
disinfectant.
b. Electronics (DVD players, DVDs, Game consoles & Games)
i. Using hospital approved disinfectant wipes, wipe front and back of DVD/game
cases
ii. Wipe outsides and areas with buttons of DVD player/game console, BUT be
careful with areas for plugs, hookups, etc.
1. DO NOT WIPE THESE AREAS as it can cause damage to entire
system!
iii. Set up to air dry
c. Visibly used and soiled toys
i. Use hospital approved disinfectant wipes
ii. Wipe toys and allow to remain visibly wet for 3 minutes
iii. Set up to air dry
d. Mouthed and Bath toys
i. Use hospital approved surface disinfectant
ii. Place toys in a container and spray surface disinfectant so as to thoroughly
drench toys
iii. Allow toys to remain visibly wet for 1 minute
iv. Rinse toys with running warm water to remove surface disinfectant
v. Set up to air dry
vi. *Discard solution after each use

VII. CLEANING SCHEDULE AND FREQUENCY

a. Ensure there is a toy cleaning schedule and person assigned to do the cleaning
b. Toys must be cleaned and disinfected after each use. Clean and dirty toys must be stored
separately in washable containers that are clearly labeled “clean” and
“dirty.”

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 c. Toys are to be distributed per child from the “clean” tub and placed in the “dirty” tub
when playing has finished

VIII. REFERENCES
a. Committee on Infectious Diseases. (2007). Infection prevention and control in pediatric
ambulatory settings. Pediatrics, 120(3), 650-665.

b. Siegel, J. D., Rhinehart, E., Jackson, M., & Chiarello, L. (2007). 2007 guideline for
isolation precautions: preventing transmission of infectious agents in health care settings.
American journal of infection control, 35(10), S65-S164.