OBJECTIVE: To review the evidence on the effects of disinfection of environmental surfaces in hospitals (as compared with cleaning without use of disinfectants) on the occurrence of nosocomial infections. METHODS: Systematic review of experimental and nonexperimental intervention studies dealing with environmental disinfection or cleaning in different health care settings. RESULTS: A total of 236 scientific articles were identified. None described a meta-analysis, systematic review, or randomized controlled trial. Only 4 articles described completed cohort studies matching the inclusion criteria. None of these studies showed lower infection rates associated with routine disinfection of surfaces (mainly floors) versus cleaning with detergent only. CONCLUSIONS: Disinfectants may pose a danger to staff, patients, and the environment and require special safety precautions. However, targeted disinfection of certain environmental surfaces is in certain instances an established component of hospital infection control. Given the complex, multifactorial nature of nosocomial infections, well-designed studies that systematically investigate the role of surface disinfection are required.
OBJECTIVE: To review the evidence on the effects of disinfection of environmental surfaces in hospitals (as compared with cleaning without use of disinfectants) on the occurrence of nosocomial infections. METHODS: Systematic review of experimental and nonexperimental intervention studies dealing with environmental disinfection or cleaning in different health care settings. RESULTS: A total of 236 scientific articles were identified. None described a meta-analysis, systematic review, or randomized controlled trial. Only 4 articles described completed cohort studies matching the inclusion criteria. None of these studies showed lower infection rates associated with routine disinfection of surfaces (mainly floors) versus cleaning with detergent only. CONCLUSIONS: Disinfectants may pose a danger to staff, patients, and the environment and require special safety precautions. However, targeted disinfection of certain environmental surfaces is in certain instances an established component of hospital infection control. Given the complex, multifactorial nature of nosocomial infections, well-designed studies that systematically investigate the role of surface disinfection are required.
Authors: Marcie Tomblyn; Tom Chiller; Hermann Einsele; Ronald Gress; Kent Sepkowitz; Jan Storek; John R Wingard; Jo-Anne H Young; Michael J Boeckh; Michael A Boeckh Journal: Biol Blood Marrow Transplant Date: 2009-10 Impact factor: 5.742
Authors: H P Loveday; J A Wilson; R J Pratt; M Golsorkhi; A Tingle; A Bak; J Browne; J Prieto; M Wilcox Journal: J Hosp Infect Date: 2014-01 Impact factor: 3.926
Authors: R J Pratt; C M Pellowe; J A Wilson; H P Loveday; P J Harper; S R L J Jones; C McDougall; M H Wilcox Journal: J Hosp Infect Date: 2007-02 Impact factor: 3.926
Authors: Jennifer H Han; Nancy Sullivan; Brian F Leas; David A Pegues; Janice L Kaczmarek; Craig A Umscheid Journal: Ann Intern Med Date: 2015-08-11 Impact factor: 25.391