Improved system for floor cleaning in health care facilities

Abstract

A new system has been developed for sanitizing floors in hospitals; this system replaces the traditional procedure of daily dusting and wet mopping with a disinfectant-detergent solution and periodic buffing. This new system relies on a sequence of procedures consisting of dust mopping using a chemically treated dust mop, machine buffing of a sprayed-on polymer treatment, and a second dust mopping. The effectiveness of the procedures was evaluated by means of surface sampling for bacterial contamination and air sampling for airborne bacteria and dust. The level of bacterial contamination on the floors was reduced by 93.6% by using the new system, compared with 79.8% by using the conventional process of dust mopping and wet mopping with a disinfectant solution. The levels of airborne bacteria during and after the individual procedures did not vary significantly from the initial level (123.6 CFU/per m3 of air). A survey of representative colonies from air samples revealed staphylococci, gram-positive bacilli, gram-positive diplococci, yeast cells, and infrequent gram-negative rods. The distribution at the conclusion of the sanitizing process was similar to that at the outset. Similarly, the levels of airborne dust measured during and after the individual procedures did not vary significantly from the initial level. When compared with the traditional method of cleaning by wet mopping, the new method was significantly more effective in removal of microbial contamination and required less labor.

Microbiological evaluation of wet and dry floor sanitization systems in hospital patient rooms

“…Schmidt et al (7) have previously documented the advantages of dry cleaning compared with wet cleaning procedures on hospital floors. These include primarily the safety factor (to avoid falls associated with wet surfaces), the convenience factor, and the improved productivity and cost reduction associated with dry cleaning methods.…”

“…Recently, Schmidt et al (7) reported on a new technique consisting of dry dusting with a chemically treated mop, machine buffing with a sprayed-on polymer, and a second dust mopping. This method reduced microbial populations by a greater percentage than conventional wet mopping with a disinfectant solution without contributing additional microbial air contamination.…”

Effects of Ultra High Speed Floor Burnishing on Air Quality in Health Care Facilities

“…Floors were dusted before and after burnishing as described elsewhere 9 for spray buffing with the exception that the chemical dustmop treatment application was increased from 10% to 15% by dry mop weight to 25% by dry mop weight.…”

“…Vacuum cleaning of chemically treated dustmops and burnishing discs for removal of particulate soil following use was performed as described previously for spray buffing. 9 Floors were burnished using a 51-cm, 2,000-rpm cord electric UHS burnishing floor machine with a flexible disc drive and a full circle floating disc housing (Multi-Clean Products, Inc., St. Paul, Minnesota). Tests were conducted both with and without an Air Guard™ (Multi-Clean Products, Inc.) for dust and airstream control, and also using the same machine on which the disc housing was modified and a specially designed air restraint assembly for use in health care facilities (hereinafter referred to as "restraint assembly") was provided (ServiceMaster Industries Inc.).…”

“…Dustmops and burnishing discs were used in the manner described elsewhere for spray buffing. 9 During the floor burnishing studies, levels of microbial contamination were evaluated by microbial sampling of the floor surface and of the air. Relative airborne dust concentration levels were determined by environmental air sampling.…”