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Intensive care unit environmental cleaning: an evaluation in sixteen hospitals using a novel assessment tool.

Publication ,  Journal Article
Carling, PC; Von Beheren, S; Kim, P; Woods, C; Healthcare Environmental Hygiene Study Group,
Published in: J Hosp Infect
January 2008

Despite isolation precautions and enhanced hand hygiene product use, the transmission of healthcare-associated pathogens remains a major problem. Recent studies have confirmed that microbial contamination of the environment in intensive care units (ICUs) can lead to colonisation and infection of patients. Although environmental disinfectants have been used to minimise the spread of microbial pathogens, suboptimal cleaning may limit the effectiveness of such activities. In order to evaluate the thoroughness of cleaning near-patient surfaces, a transparent, easily cleanable and environmentally stable solution was developed that fluoresces when exposed to UV light. The solution was used to mark a standardised group of frequently touched objects in ICU patient rooms following discharge cleaning. These sites were then evaluated after at least two patients had occupied the room and at least two terminal cleanings had been completed. Evaluation of 2320 objects in 197 patient areas disclosed that 57.1% of the standardised sites were cleaned following discharge of the room's occupant in the 16 ICUs studied. Although high rates of cleaning (>80%) were found for toilet seats, sinks and tray tables, consistently low rates of cleaning (<30%) were documented for several objects at high risk of becoming contaminated with nosocomial pathogens, including bedpan cleaners, toilet area handholds, doorknobs and light switches.

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Published In

J Hosp Infect

DOI

ISSN

0195-6701

Publication Date

January 2008

Volume

68

Issue

1

Start / End Page

39 / 44

Location

England

Related Subject Headings

  • Patients' Rooms
  • Intensive Care Units
  • Infection Control
  • Humans
  • Housekeeping, Hospital
  • Guideline Adherence
  • Fomites
  • Fluorescence
  • Equipment Contamination
  • Epidemiology
 

Citation

APA
Chicago
ICMJE
MLA
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Carling, P. C., Von Beheren, S., Kim, P., Woods, C., & Healthcare Environmental Hygiene Study Group, . (2008). Intensive care unit environmental cleaning: an evaluation in sixteen hospitals using a novel assessment tool. J Hosp Infect, 68(1), 39–44. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhin.2007.09.015
Carling, P. C., S. Von Beheren, P. Kim, C. Woods, and C. Healthcare Environmental Hygiene Study Group. “Intensive care unit environmental cleaning: an evaluation in sixteen hospitals using a novel assessment tool.J Hosp Infect 68, no. 1 (January 2008): 39–44. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhin.2007.09.015.
Carling PC, Von Beheren S, Kim P, Woods C, Healthcare Environmental Hygiene Study Group. Intensive care unit environmental cleaning: an evaluation in sixteen hospitals using a novel assessment tool. J Hosp Infect. 2008 Jan;68(1):39–44.
Carling, P. C., et al. “Intensive care unit environmental cleaning: an evaluation in sixteen hospitals using a novel assessment tool.J Hosp Infect, vol. 68, no. 1, Jan. 2008, pp. 39–44. Pubmed, doi:10.1016/j.jhin.2007.09.015.
Carling PC, Von Beheren S, Kim P, Woods C, Healthcare Environmental Hygiene Study Group. Intensive care unit environmental cleaning: an evaluation in sixteen hospitals using a novel assessment tool. J Hosp Infect. 2008 Jan;68(1):39–44.
Journal cover image

Published In

J Hosp Infect

DOI

ISSN

0195-6701

Publication Date

January 2008

Volume

68

Issue

1

Start / End Page

39 / 44

Location

England

Related Subject Headings

  • Patients' Rooms
  • Intensive Care Units
  • Infection Control
  • Humans
  • Housekeeping, Hospital
  • Guideline Adherence
  • Fomites
  • Fluorescence
  • Equipment Contamination
  • Epidemiology