Using microfiber and steam technology to improve cleaning outcomes in an intensive care unit

Elizabeth Gillespie; Natalie Williams; Tracy Sloane; Louise Wright; Despina Kotsanas; Rhonda L Stuart

doi:10.1016/j.ajic.2014.11.006

Using microfiber and steam technology to improve cleaning outcomes in an intensive care unit

Am J Infect Control. 2015 Feb;43(2):177-9. doi: 10.1016/j.ajic.2014.11.006.

Authors

Elizabeth Gillespie¹, Natalie Williams², Tracy Sloane², Louise Wright², Despina Kotsanas³, Rhonda L Stuart⁴

Affiliations

¹ Infection Control and Epidemiology Unit, Monash Health, Clayton, VIC, Australia. Electronic address: elizabeth.gillespie@monashhealth.org.
² Infection Control and Epidemiology Unit, Monash Health, Clayton, VIC, Australia.
³ Infectious Diseases, Monash Health, Clayton, VIC, Australia.
⁴ Infection Control and Epidemiology Unit, Monash Health, Clayton, VIC, Australia; Infectious Diseases, Monash Health, Clayton, VIC, Australia; Department of Medicine, Monash University, VIC, Australia.

PMID: 25637118
DOI: 10.1016/j.ajic.2014.11.006

Abstract

The use of microfiber and steam technology may be seen as a novel cleaning method that can improve the outcome of cleaning. We describe its use in an intensive care setting, its impact on vancomycin-resistant enterococci acquisition, and the importance of ensuring adequate education of cleaning staff. Such new methods can have a significant impact on the transmission of multidrug-resistant organisms, provided systems are in place to ensure that the methodology is adhered to and that cleaning hours are adequate.

Keywords: Environmental cleaning; Microfiber and steam technology; Vancomycin-resistant enterococci transmission.

MeSH terms

Disinfection / methods*
Environmental Microbiology*
Housekeeping, Hospital / methods*
Humans
Infection Control
Intensive Care Units / standards*
Steam*
Time Factors

Substances

Steam