Abstract
We studied the bacterial burden on toilet seats in a children's cancer hospital to validate a policy requesting that immunocompromised children use alcohol wipes on the seats prior to use of the toilets. Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) was recovered from 3.3% of hospital toilets when wipes were not in use. Use of wipes resulted in a 50-fold reduction in mean daily bacterial counts and eliminated MRSA.
Publication types
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Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
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Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
MeSH terms
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Alcohols / pharmacology
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Colony Count, Microbial
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Disinfectants / pharmacology
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Disinfection / methods
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Environmental Microbiology
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Female
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Hospitals
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Humans
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Infection Control / methods
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Male
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Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus / isolation & purification*
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Staphylococcal Infections / transmission*
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Toilet Facilities