Between housing different patients, it is not necessary to disinfect substrate and furnishings.

• A. True
• B. False
• C. It depends on the species
• D. It depends on the facility policy

Answer: (B)

Cross-contamination prevention through cleaning and disinfection between patients is essential. Substrates and furnishings can harbor bacteria, viruses, parasites, and fungal spores even when they look clean, so just moving from one patient to another without disinfecting creates a real risk of spreading disease. Therefore, disinfection between housing different patients is a standard, necessary practice to protect animals and staff. While species differences or facility policies may influence how you apply the procedure (such as which disinfectant to use or contact time), they do not justify skipping disinfection between patients. Use a clean-to-dirty workflow: remove waste, clean with soap and water, then apply an appropriate disinfectant with sufficient contact time, ensuring items are safe for the next occupant.