Simple solution for improved cleaning

There is a large body of evidence to demonstrate that improved cleaning outcomes can decrease the spread of HCAIs among patients, and that cleaning can be programmatically improved. A study undertaken by Goodman et al,¹ for example, evaluates the adequacy of discharge room cleaning and the impact of a cleaning intervention on the presence of MRSA and VRE on environmental surfaces in intensive care unit rooms. This study concluded that the intervention helped to improve cleaning technique and reduce the frequency of MRSA and VRE contamination. The intervention included an increase in the volume of disinfectant applied to environmental surfaces; the provision of education for environmental services staff; and providing feedback on cleaning technique following examination of the cleaned object with a black-light marker.

A multi-hospital study undertaken by Carling et al² looked at the prevalence of serious infections caused by multidrug-resistant pathogens transmitted in the hospital setting via cleaning practices. It concluded that significant improvements in disinfection cleaning can be achieved in most hospitals, without a substantial added fiscal commitment, through the use of a structured approach which incorporates a simple, highly objective surface targeting method, repeated performance feedback to environmental services personnel, and administrative interventions.

Discharge and terminal cleaning saw an increase over baseline of 40% and similarly in 37% in ICU.