Separated Environmental Cleaning Management Measures Improve Cleanliness, Study Shows

Environmental cleaning is a fundamental principle of infection control in healthcare settings. Wong, et al. (2018) determined whether implementing separated environmental cleaning management measures in MICU reduced the density of HAI.

The researchers performed a four-month prospective cohort intervention study between August and December 2013, at the MICU of Cathay General hospital. They arranged a training program for all the cleaning staff regarding separated environmental cleaning management measures by using disposable wipes of four colors to clean the patients’ bedside areas, areas at a high risk of contamination, paperwork areas, and public areas. Fifteen high-touch surfaces were selected for cleanliness evaluation by using the adenosine triphosphate (ATP) bioluminescence test. Then data regarding HAI densities in the MICU were collected during the baseline, intervention, and late periods.

A total of 120 ATP readings were obtained. The total number of clean high-touch surfaces increased from 13 percent to 53 percent, whereas that of unclean high-touch surface decreased from 47  percent to 20 percent. The densities of HAI were 14.32  percent and 14.90  percent during the baseline and intervention periods, respectively. The HAI density did not decrease after the intervention period, but it decreased to 9.07  percent during the late period.

The researchers concluded that implementing separated environmental cleaning management measures by using disposable wipes of four colors effectively improves cleanliness in MICU environments. However, no decrease in HAI density was observed within the study period. Considering that achieving high levels of hand-hygiene adherence is difficult, improving environmental cleaning is a crucial adjunct measure for reducing the incidence of HAIs.

Reference: Wong SS, et al. Reducing healthcare-associated infections by implementing separated environmental cleaning management measures by using disposable wipes of four colors. Antimicrobial Resistance & Infection Control.2018;7:34