Experimental design and statistical analysis of an in-use test of germicidal detergents.

Present methodology for the in-use testing of germicidal detergents is too time-consuming for routine use by a hospital environmentalist. A simplified experimental design and statistical analysis, amenable to routine use, is presented for the in-use testing of germicidal detergents against water alone. As an illustration of our methodology we evaluated two germicidal detergents versus water alone. Under our conditions of use, it was found that water alone was equally and significantly as effective (p less than 0.001) as the two germicidal detergents in reducing microbial contamination of floors.