Search

Nosocomial infections caused by pathogenic microorganisms including Staphylococcus aureus, Acinetobacter baumannii, Clostridium difficile or Streptococcus pneumoniae pose a serious threat to public health. This is associated with increased morbidity and mortality of patients. Contamination of hospitals has a major effect on the transmission of infections, therefore disinfection plays an important role in their prevention. The improvement of disinfection techniques may prevent contamination of areas where people are present, as well as increase the safety of patients and medical personnel. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The contaminated surface environment in hospitals is associated with an important risk for transmission of pathogens that cause nosocomial infections. A recent studies show the correlation between quality of cleaning in healthcare centers and the rate of colonization or infections in hospitalized patients. The improvement in cleaning and disinfection procedures, especially of „high-touch" (i.e. frequently touched) surfaces, which are the most important for transmission of pathogens in hospital environment, may limit the potential spread of nosocomial infections. Regular and periodic evaluating environmental cleaning should be performed. In order to ensure proper decontamination in hospital environment, all hospitals are encouraged to monitor the thoroughness of surface cleaning process with available methods such as fluorescent marker, ATP bioluminescence assay or assess the number of aerobic colony counts on surfaces with an increased risk of contamination. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]