Evaluation of improved housekeeping compliance and the use of microfibre cleaning cloths on reducing environmental reservoirs of antibiotic resistant organisms and Clostridium difficile in health care facilities

Abstract

Contaminated environmental surfaces can be a means of transmission of Clostridium difficile spores in health-care facilities. The study objectives are to assess the value of the UV marker as an audit tool for improving housekeeping compliance and to compare microfiber and cotton cloths for removal of Clostridium difficile spores from surfaces. A lotion visible only under short-wave UV light (UV Marker) was applied to different surfaces within the patient’s washrooms on consecutive week days, over a twenty-four week period. The Study included three Arms: Arm one received feedback for 24 weeks , Arm two received feedback for the first 12 weeks and Arm three was given feedback for the last 12 weeks based on UV Marker results. The visual audit resulted in a cleaning compliance of 55%; whereas, feedback with the UV Marker led to a housekeeping compliance of 90%. The UV marker is a better audit tool than visual inspection for improving cleaning compliance of housekeeping staff. The use of microfiber cloths may enhance efficiency of microbial removal during surface cleaning.