[Floor cleaning methods of patients' room. Effect on bacteria, dirt and particles].

The effect of floor cleaning on bacteria, organic materials and particles in the patients' rooms was studied at Ullevål University Hospital, Oslo, Norway. Four cleaning methods were compared; dust-adhesive (dry), humified, wet mopping, and regular wet washing (RWW) without a mop. The following tests were taken from the floor before and after cleaning: bacterial counts (colony forming units = CFU) and ATP (presence of organic materials), and from the air: CFU/m3 air, and particle counts/m3 air. Humified mopping and dry mopping reduced the bacterial counts from the floor by 75% and 55% respectively (p = 0.005 and p = 0.014, using contact medium). The wet mopping had no statistically significant effect, while the wet washing even increased the CFU on the floor by 35-50% (p = 0.017 with contact medium, and p = 0.028 with petrifilm). The two wet methods were the most effective, however, in removing organic materials from the floor; 65% to 70% reduction (p = 0.051 and p =0.008). The CFU/m3 air was low both before (50-130 CFU/m3) and after (70-110 CFU/m3) cleaning. A slight increase in airborne particles was measured after dry mopping. Combined use of humified mopping and wet mopping is recommended, but is dependent on a well prepared and finished floor surface.