healthcare-associated infections (HAI) program

Monitoring Cleaning

Clipboard checklist.

Bartley et al. Clinical Microbiology Newsletter. 2008 (read article via Clinical Microbiology Newsletter)

http://effectivehealthcare.ahrq.gov/ehc/products/592/2103/healthcare-infections-report-150810.pdf (read Technical Brief via Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality)

Lillis. ATP Testing: A Proven Method to Measure Cleanliness. 2015 (read article via Infection Control Today)

What are the pros and cons of monitoring technologies?

ComparisonOfCleaningMethodsTable.fw.png

High-touch surfaces are frequently overlooked by hospital environmental services staff.
In one study, the adequacy of cleaning of high-touch surfaces was found to be 48% in 36 hospitals

Assessing adequacy of environmental cleaning is essential
Feedback to cleaning assessment data to environmental services personnel can drive performance improvement

Carling et al.ICHE 2008 (read article via PubMed)

Monitoring technology can be used to assess adequacy of environmental cleaning and inform staff education and administrative interventions.
In one study, 36 hospitals used a fluorescent monitoring method to evaluate the thoroughness of patient room disinfection.

Each hospital met with administrative personnel to review monitoring technology findings and develop intervention plans
Education of and feedback to environmental services personnel resulted in significant improvements in environmental cleaning

A properly cleaned care environment is essential to prevent or contain HAIs
A surface must be physically cleaned before it can be disinfected
Consistent use of best practices and clarity of roles should be emphasized
Use of technologies such as microfiber, monitoring systems, and whole-room disinfection after cleaning are increasingly becoming the community standard of care
EVS staff should be valued and supported so they can maximize their unique contributions to preventing HAI