A Quantitative Approach to Defining "High-touch" Surfaces in Hospitals

Abstract

Fifty interactions between healthcare workers and patients were observed to obtain a quantifiable definition of "high-touch" (ie, frequently touched) surfaces based on frequency of contact. Five surfaces were defined as high-touch surfaces: the bed rails, the bed surface, the supply cart, the over-bed table, and the intravenous pump.

Authors: Huslage K, Rutala WA, Sickbert-Bennett E, Weber DJ

Department of Hospital Epidemiology, UNC Health Care, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27514, USA. [email protected]

Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol. 2010 Aug;31(8):850-3. PMID: 20569115 [PubMed – in process]

Commentary

ORIGINAL ARTICLE

“