Multimodal environmental cleaning strategies to prevent healthcare-associated infections

• Published in: Antimicrobial resistance & infection control Vol. 12; no. 1; pp. 83 - 7
• Main Authors: Browne, Katrina, Mitchell, Brett G
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England BioMed Central Ltd 23.08.2023; BioMed Central; BMC
• Subjects: Cleaning and disinfection; Comment; Cost effectiveness; Cross infection; Cross Infection - prevention & control; Disease control; Disease transmission; Disinfection & disinfectants; Drug resistance; Education; Feedback; Health aspects; Health care; Health Facilities; Health risks; Healthcare-associated infection; Humans; Hygiene; Infection control; Infection prevention; Infections; Initiatives; Nosocomial infections; Pathogens; Prevention; Risk assessment; Cross-infection; Healthcare-associated infection; Cost effectiveness; Health services; Infection prevention; Cleaning and disinfection; Infection control
• ISSN: 2047-2994; 2047-2994
• DOI: 10.1186/s13756-023-01274-4

Infection transmission in healthcare is multifaceted and by in large involves the complex interplay between a pathogen, a host and their environment. To prevent transmission, infection prevention strategies must also consider these complexities and incorporate targeted interventions aimed at all possible transmission pathways. One strategy to prevent and control infection is environmental cleaning. There are many aspects to an environmental cleaning strategy. We believe the key to successfully reducing the risk of healthcare-associated infections through the environment, is to design and implement a multimodal intervention. This paper aims to provide an overview of important considerations for designing a meaningful and sustainable environmental program for healthcare facilities.