Evaluation of Hospital Floors as a Potential Source of Pathogen Dissemination Using a Nonpathogenic Virus as a Surrogate Marker

Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol. 2016 Nov;37(11):1374-1377. doi: 10.1017/ice.2016.181. Epub 2016 Aug 15.

Abstract

Hospital floors are frequently contaminated with pathogens, but it is not known whether floors are a potential source of transmission. We demonstrated that a nonpathogenic virus inoculated onto floors in hospital rooms disseminated rapidly to the hands of patients and to high-touch surfaces inside and outside the room. Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol 2016;1-4.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Bacteriophages / isolation & purification*
  • Biomarkers
  • Cross Infection / transmission*
  • Cross Infection / virology*
  • Disinfection
  • Equipment Contamination* / prevention & control
  • Floors and Floorcoverings*
  • Hospitals
  • Hospitals, Veterans
  • Humans
  • Ohio
  • Patients' Rooms
  • Viruses

Substances

  • Biomarkers