Evidence that contaminated surfaces contribute to the transmission of hospital pathogens and an overview of strategies to address contaminated surfaces in hospital settings

Jonathan A Otter; Saber Yezli; James A G Salkeld; Gary L French

doi:10.1016/j.ajic.2012.12.004

Evidence that contaminated surfaces contribute to the transmission of hospital pathogens and an overview of strategies to address contaminated surfaces in hospital settings

Am J Infect Control. 2013 May;41(5 Suppl):S6-11. doi: 10.1016/j.ajic.2012.12.004.

Authors

Jonathan A Otter¹, Saber Yezli, James A G Salkeld, Gary L French

Affiliation

¹ Centre for Clinical Infection and Diagnostics Research, Department of Infectious Diseases, King's College London & Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK. jonathan.otter@kcl.ac.uk

PMID: 23622751
DOI: 10.1016/j.ajic.2012.12.004

Abstract

Evidence that contaminated surfaces contribute to the transmission of hospital pathogens comes from studies modeling transmission routes, microbiologic studies, observational epidemiologic studies, intervention studies, and outbreak reports. This review presents evidence that contaminated surfaces contribute to transmission and discusses the various strategies currently available to address environmental contamination in hospitals.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Cross Infection / prevention & control
Cross Infection / transmission*
Disease Outbreaks / prevention & control*
Disinfection / methods*
Equipment Contamination / prevention & control*
Hospitals / standards*
Housekeeping, Hospital / methods*
Housekeeping, Hospital / standards
Humans
Operating Rooms
Patients' Rooms