Any dishes used by a patient with a communicable disease should be:

The best practice when handling dishes used by a patient with a communicable disease is to keep them separate and wash them with soap and hot water. This approach ensures that any pathogens present on the dishes are effectively removed, minimizing the risk of spreading the disease to others. Washing dishes in hot, soapy water is effective in breaking down and eliminating harmful microorganisms.

Using a strong disinfectant solution, while it might seem effective, does not substitute for the thorough cleaning that soap and hot water provide. Simply soaking dishes overnight may not guarantee complete disinfection and may fail to adequately remove all food particles and biological material, which can be substrates for microbial growth. It is crucial to ensure that dishes are not only disinfected but also cleaned properly to ensure patient and public safety.

Thus, the focus should be on diligent cleaning practices that combine the mechanical action of washing with the antibacterial properties of soap and hot water to ensure dishes are safe to use.