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Daily Disinfection of the Hospital Room and Non-critical Items: Barriers and Practical Approaches

  • Healthcare Associated Infections (G Bearman and D Morgan, Section Editors)
  • Published:
Current Infectious Disease Reports Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Purpose of Review

Daily disinfection of the hospital room and non-critical items is an important component of healthcare infection prevention. Barriers exist for heightened and reliable daily disinfection in the healthcare setting, and definitions are lacking for clean or acceptable levels of microbial burden on hospital surfaces.

Recent Findings

Current methods for manual, daily cleaning of patient rooms are likely suboptimal for bioburden reduction. The use of UV-C and HP vapor light for decontamination of HTS may reduce bioburden yet requires investment in both resources and deployment. Applying the principles of HFE to daily disinfection processes may improve reliability and reduce microbial surface burden.

Summary

All disinfectants must be EPA-approved for low-level disinfection (LLD).No single method exists for accuately monitoring the adequacy of the cleaning process; strategies include observation and feedback, the use of ATP bioluminescence assays and flourescent markers, ultraviolet UV light along with formal process audits and feedback. Safety programs must be aware that not all EPA hospital disinfectants approved for LLD will disinfect select organisms such as C. difficile. Further studies are needed to define optimal daily disinfection strategies and to demonstrate the impact of environmental hygiene on patient-centered healthcare infection outcomes.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Virginia Commonwealth University Hospital, Virginia Commonwealth University Health System, North Hospital 2nd floor, room 2-100, 1300 East Marshall Street, Richmond, VA, 23298-0019, USA

    Amie Patrick, Olivia Hess, Kaila Cooper, Michelle Doll & Gonzalo Bearman

  2. Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA

    Clare Rock

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  1. Amie Patrick
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  2. Olivia Hess
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  4. Clare Rock
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  6. Gonzalo Bearman
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Correspondence to Amie Patrick.

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This article is part of the Topical Collection on Healthcare Associated Infections

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Patrick, A., Hess, O., Cooper, K. et al. Daily Disinfection of the Hospital Room and Non-critical Items: Barriers and Practical Approaches. Curr Infect Dis Rep 22, 33 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11908-020-00743-w

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11908-020-00743-w

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