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

Abstract

A new system for sanitizing floors in hospital patient rooms has been developed. The method consists of dry dusting with a cotton-blend, chemically treated (10% by dry mop weight) dust mop. This method was compared with a conventional cleaning protocol consisting of an initial predusting with the same nongermicidal chemical (3% by dry mop weight) followed by wet mopping with a fresh solution of a quaternary ammonium disinfectant-detergent. Each of six rooms was sampled by using RODAC plates (Becton Dickinson Labware, Oxnard, Calif.) on 10 consecutive days for each of the two methods. The study was initially performed during the summer and then repeated during the winter. Results imply that there is no significant difference between the new dry method (81.9% CFU reduction) and the conventional method (83.1% CFU reduction). Furthermore, the initial dry dusting step in the conventional method accounted for virtually all of the reduction by that method. Thus, wet mopping with a germicidal chemical produced no additional significant reduction of natural microbial populations on environmental surfaces beyond that achieved by dry dusting with dust-suppressant chemicals.

Antimicrobial and Hemolytic Studies of a Series of Polycations Bearing Quaternary Ammonium Moieties: Structural and Topological Effects

“…In 1935, Domagk reported for the first time the antibiotic activity of quaternary ammonium salts (QAS) [ 24 ]. Since then, different QAS have been extensively investigated as disinfectants [ 25 , 26 , 27 , 28 , 29 ]. Recently, Xiao and co-workers have reported a comprehensive overview of the synthetic methods and antimicrobial action of polymers with quaternary ammonium/phosphonium salts [ 30 ].…”

Variation in Bacterial Contamination of Microisolation Cage Tops According to Rodent Species and Housing System

“…We investigated how bacterial accumulation on the IVC MCT top was affected across various rack or ventilation systems by the rodent species housed. We used a paired approach that combined bacterial contamination performance standards 5,13,17 and statistical analysis to determine appropriate MCT change intervals. We show that mice and rats had very different patterns of bacterial contamination of MCT.…”

“…MCT were repeatedly sampled for each cage at 0, 14, 30, 60, and 90 d after initiation of the study. Total bacterial load was evaluated against standards set by the American Public Health Association 17 and previously used in the laboratory animal setting: 5,13 good, less than 25 cfu; fair, lower than 50 cfu; poor, 50 cfu and greater; and too many to count, 250 cfu or more.…”

Evaluation of the Sterility of Press'n Seal Cling Film for Use in Rodent Surgery

“…This threshold is adapted from APHA Guidelines, literature from hospital settings, and inhouse testing. 11,13,19 Notably, the 12 colonies on the day 28 plate were arranged in a ring around the edge of the plate. Due to the raised agar conformation and parallel sampling technique, the side of the agar was unlikely to directly contact the CF.…”