Measuring the effect of enhanced cleaning in a UK hospital: a prospective cross-over study

Abstract

Background: Increasing hospital-acquired infections have generated much attention over the last decade. There is evidence that hygienic cleaning has a role in the control of hospital-acquired infections. This study aimed to evaluate the potential impact of one additional cleaner by using microbiological standards based on aerobic colony counts and the presence of Staphylococcus aureus including meticillin-resistant S. aureus.

The Need for Additional Investigation of Room Decontamination Processes

“…8 Such studies would be particularly important, given the evidence that improving routine hygienic practice can significantly decrease environmental contamination of "patient zone" surfaces 4 " 10 and reduce the transfer of healthcare-associated pathogens to susceptible patients. 10 Given the considerations above, we also believe that the conclusion by Otter et al 8 that HPV technology should be considered for routine use to decontaminate patient rooms is premature, and we concur with Boyce et al 6 that additional investigation of room decontamination processes through well-designed studies is warranted.…”

Empfehlungen zur Prävention und Kontrolle von Methicillin-resistenten Staphylococcus aureus-Stämmen (MRSA) in medizinischen und pflegerischen Einrichtungen

“…Auf unbelebten Oberflächen und im Staub kann S. aureus zwischen 7 Tagen und 7 Monaten über-leben [169]. Oberflächen des unbelebten Umfeldes können Reservoire für die Übertragung von MRSA darstellen [170].…”

Dos and don’ts for hospital cleaning

“…Surprisingly, this has not yet happened. Simply increasing the cleaning frequency of high-risk sites could be a crucial factor in controlling environmental risk, rather than gamble with an environmentally unfriendly alternative [46,112]. It should be remembered that the effect of any cleaning/disinfectant agent tested is dependent on physical action [7].…”