Abstract In the UK, we continue to debate the importance of hospital cleaning in relation to increasing numbers of patients acquiring methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). However, there is little direct evidence for the effectiveness of cleaning because it has never been afforded scientific status. Hospital …
This text addresses the basic principles and methods of sampling environmental surfaces and other environmental sources for microorganisms. 1. General Principles: Microbiologic Sampling of the Environment Before 1970, U.S. hospitals conducted regularly scheduled culturing of the air and environmental surfaces (e.g., floors, walls, and …
Although microbiologically contaminated surfaces can serve as reservoirs of potential pathogens, these surfaces generally are not directly associated with transmission of infections to either staff or patients. The transferral of microorganisms from environmental surfaces to patients is largely via hand contact with the surface. Although …
You may or may not have heard of X-ray Fluorescence (XRF): The technology was originally developed by NASA to test for metal impurities that could cause premature or even catastrophic wear of vital space shuttle components, such as those used in the space shuttle Discovery. …
X-ray fluorescence (XRF) technology is a fast, highly accurate method for analyzing the soil removal capability of cleaning products such as vacuum cleaners and carpet extractors. In basic terms, the XRF hand-held instrument emits energy and excites the atoms of a target element. The energy …
VISA and VRSA are specific types of antimicrobial-resistant staph bacteria. While most staph bacteria are susceptible to the antimicrobial agent vancomycin some have developed resistance. VISA and VRSA cannot be successfully treated with vancomycin because these organisms are no longer susceptibile to vancomycin. However, to …
Imagine, within 60 seconds, convincing a penny-pinching customer to invest more money in cleaning and, in particular, your services. Within a minute, you can validate the reasons why management needs to increase the facility’s cleaning and maintenance budget. Would you invest in one word — …
The term “sick building syndrome” (SBS) is used to describe situations in which building occupants experience acute health and comfort effects that appear to be linked to time spent in a building, but no specific illness or cause can be identified. The complaints may be …
On February 8, 2007, the District of Columbia Department of Health (DCDOH) was notified of an outbreak of acute gastroenteritis in an elementary school (prekindergarten through sixth grade). The school nurse reported that 27 students and two staff members had become ill during February 4-8 …
Editor’s Note: Mold spores are not the only concern, scientists say. Tinier pieces of mold called “fungal fragments” may be deeply inhaled and cause problems. The content below is from the CDC: Exposure to fungi, particularly in water damaged indoor environments has been thought …