A recent study published in the American Journal of Infection Control has shed light on an innovative approach to hospital room cleanliness. The study, conducted at Griffin Hospital in Derby, Conn., compared the effectiveness of standard disinfectant wipes versus wipes with a color additive that allows users to visually see which surfaces have been sanitized. The results were striking – rooms cleaned with the color additive wipes were 69.2% cleaner and required slightly less time for cleaning compared to standard wipes.
Proper disinfection of hospital rooms is crucial in preventing the spread of germs and health care-associated infections (HAIs). Contaminated surfaces in hospitals have been linked to many HAIs, making it imperative to improve sanitation practices. Despite efforts to maintain cleanliness, studies have shown that hospital rooms often fall short of the necessary standards.
In this study, environmental services (EVS) teams were tasked with cleaning rooms using standard wipes for one week, followed by a week of using wipes with a color additive. The color additive turned surfaces blue during cleaning and faded to clear once the surface was adequately sanitized, providing a visual cue for effective cleaning. Samples of frequently touched surfaces were taken before and after cleaning to assess microbial presence, with results showing a significant reduction in microbes in rooms cleaned with the color additive wipes.
Lead author of the study, Olayinka Oremade, MD, MPH, CIC, noted that the use of visual cues significantly improved room cleanliness and even streamlined the cleaning process. The study also highlighted the compatibility of the color additive with various disinfectant products, making it a practical solution for enhancing disinfection protocols in healthcare settings.
Overall, the findings of this study emphasize the importance of innovative approaches to infection control. Simple yet effective solutions, such as the use of color additives in disinfectant wipes, can play a crucial role in keeping patients safe and healthy in healthcare facilities.
For more information on this study, you can refer to the article published in the American Journal of Infection Control with the DOI: 10.1016/j.ajic.2024.07.009.
This content is provided by the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and should be cited as:
“With the use of visual cues, hospital rooms get nearly 70% cleaner” (2024, September 19) retrieved 19 September 2024 from https://medicalxpress.com/news/2024-09-visual-cues-hospital-rooms-cleaner.html
