Continuous and enhanced daily disinfection strategies to reduce environmental contamination in healthcare settings.

BACKGROUND: Environmental contamination contributes to healthcare-associated infections (HAIs), yet disinfection strategies are typically limited to terminal cleaning. METHODS: We reviewed evidence describing continuous and enhanced daily disinfection strategies aimed at reducing environmental contamination during active patient care. RESULTS: Continuous disinfection technologies, including light-based systems and low-level chemical dispersal, demonstrate antimicrobial activity under controlled conditions but have shown inconsistent effectiveness in clinical environments. In contrast, enhanced daily disinfection strategies, such as electrostatic sprayers and disinfectants with residual activity, improve disinfectant delivery and may reduce environmental bioburden. Residual disinfectants have demonstrated sustained antimicrobial effects and reduced contamination in randomized clinical studies. However, evidence across studies remains heterogeneous, with limited randomized controlled trials and frequent reliance on bioburden as a proxy outcome. CONCLUSIONS: Improving non-terminal disinfection may reduce contamination, but optimizing routine environmental cleaning practices remains the most effective and immediately actionable strategy.

Duke Scholars

Author Bobby Warren