Cleaning Of High-touch Surfaces Research Articles

SG-APSIC1105: The effectiveness of the infection control interventions in decreasing multidrug-resistant organism transmission in the Department of Neonatology of Hung Vuong Hospital

Objectives: Infection control and prevention (IPC) is one of the most important factors in decreasing multidrug-resistant organism (MRDO) transmission. We evaluated the effectiveness of the IPC program in reducing the spread of MDROs at the Department of Neonatology of Hung Vuong Hospital. Methods: This research was conducted from April 2020 to September 2020 in the neonatology department in 3 phases: (1) We determined the compliance rate of hand hygiene and high-touch surfaces cleaning (via camera monitoring). (2) We conducted the following interventions: We developed specific cleaning protocols for the neonatology department. We provided training regarding MRDO transmission control and prevention for healthcare workers. We implemented a counseling program for active screening and isolation for hospitalized children; added isolation rooms for children with MRDO asymptomatic infections. And we improved feedback efficiency through an online group between the infection control and prevention team and the department of neonatology. (3) We re-evaluated compliance with hand hygiene practices and cleaning of high-touch surfaces, then we compared the rates of positive MRDO cultures before and after these interventions. Results: Before the interventions, 453 hand hygiene observations were recorded and 322 high-touch-surface cleaning observations were recorded. The hand hygiene compliance rate improved significantly from 33.2% to 85.5% (PR, 11.9; 95% CI, 7.4–19.3; P< .01). The high-touch-surface cleaning rate increased from 82.4% to 93.5% (PR, 3.1, 95% CI, 1.5–6.4; P < .01). The rate of high-touch surfaces being cleaned with proper technique increased from 38.5% to 87.9% (PR, 11.6; 95% CI, 6.3–21.3; P < .01). In total, 103 swab samples were positive for MRDOs by culture before and after the intervention. The rate of positive MRDO cultures decreased from 80.8% to 64.7% (P = .017). Conclusions: Enhancing hand hygiene and high-touch-surface cleaning compliance helped reduce MRDO transmission in the Department Neonatology of Hung Vuong Hospital.

A regional initiative to improve cleaning of high-touch surfaces in long-term care facilities.

A total of 38 long-term care facilities within a region participated in a 3-month quality improvement initiative focused on environmental cleaning and disinfection. Significant improvements in daily and discharge cleaning were observed during the project period. Further study of the sustainability and clinical impact of this type of initiative is warranted.

Improving Environmental Disinfection through Objective Assessments at a Large Teaching Hospital

BACKGROUND: Healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) are costly and impact patient morbidity and mortality. Environmental disinfection and cleaning plays a key role in the prevention of HAIs. We aimed to establish an objective evaluation of thoroughness of disinfection and cleaning (TDC) after patient discharge and to evaluate the impact of an assessment program on high-touch surfaces TDC. METHODS: In April 2018, we assessed baseline TDC of environmental surfaces. Fluorescent markers were used for monitoring high-touch surfaces in patient rooms after discharge. TDC scores were defined as the percentage of cleaned surfaces out of the total of examined surfaces. Subsequently, we established routine educational sessions with environmental services staff and developed visual guides where we emphasized the importance of disinfecting high-touch surfaces. A team of two people, one Infection Preventionist and one Environmental Services manager, evaluated TDC on randomly selected units. Direct feedback was provided to staff in rooms with missed opportunities. RESULTS: At baseline, we assessed 401 high-touch surfaces and the TDC score was 51%. After the implementation of the educational sessions, visual guides, and the assessment program, TDC scores increased to 87% (216/247 surfaces), 92% (245/267 surfaces), and 94% (193/205 surfaces) in the following three months. CONCLUSIONS: We improved cleaning of high-touch surfaces by implementing routine educational sessions paired with an objective assessment program. Prospective standardized assessment of cleaning is a key component of infection prevention in health care settings.

Efficacy of a hospital-wide environmental cleaning protocol on hospital-acquired methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus rates.

Environmental contamination has been associated with over half of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) outbreaks in hospitals. We explored if a hospital-wide environmental and patient cleaning protocol would lower hospital acquired MRSA rates and associated costs. This study evaluates the impact of implementing a hospital-wide environmental and patient cleaning protocol on the rate of MRSA infection and the potential cost benefit of the intervention. A retrospective, pre-post interventional study design was used. The intervention comprised a combination of enhanced environmental cleaning of high touch surfaces, daily washing of patients with benzalkonium chloride, and targeted isolation of patients with active infection. The rate of MRSA infection per 1000 patient days (PD) was compared with the rate after the intervention (Steiros Algorithm®) was implemented. A cost-benefit analysis based on the number of MRSA infections avoided was conducted. The MRSA rates decreased by 96% from 3.04 per 1000 PD to 0.11 per 1000 PD (P <0.0001). This reduction in MRSA infections, avoided an estimated $1,655,143 in healthcare costs. Implementation of this hospital-wide protocol appears to be associated with a reduction in the rate of MRSA infection and therefore a reduction in associated healthcare costs.

The Time Spent Cleaning a Hospital Room Does Not Correlate with the Thoroughness of Cleaning

Environmental surfaces in hospital rooms often become contaminated with microbes, and evidence has linked the patient care environment to transmission of potential pathogens. Despite attempts at standardization of training and cleaning techniques, there is great variation between housekeepers with regard to room cleaning practices. Environmental cleanliness can be assessed by direct observation, surface cultures, detection of adenosine triphosphate, or use of a fluorescent marking solution. Each monitoring technique has limitations.We participated in a multicenter study that demonstrated improved cleaning of high-touch surfaces through the use of a fluorescent marking solution and rapid-cycle performance feedback. As part of an earlier study, housekeepers were instructed about the importance of environmental cleanliness and appropriate cleaning of high-touch surfaces, and a room cleaning checklist was introduced. In this study, we sought to examine the relationship between the amount of time that a housekeeper spent cleaning a hospital room and the thoroughness of surface cleaning.