A study conducted in Texas found that even after routine disinfection, harmful microbes can still be present on hospital surfaces.

The study was conducted between June and July 2022, during which researchers collected samples from 400 surfaces at Central Texas Veterans Healthcare System facilities (Central Texas Veterans Healthcare System).

Sampling focused on high-touch surfaces and medical equipment. A total of 60 different microorganisms were identified, including 18 pathogens. Approximately half of the bacteria identified through these samples were also found in clinical samples collected from patients during 2022.

More information about the study can be found on this link.

The aforementioned study highlights that preventative actions to prevent the spread of infections are critically important in medical facilities. It is important to identify areas requiring improvement in both cleaning and disinfection.

In medical facilities, cleanliness has a different meaning than in everyday life. A microorganism that might be harmless in the living environment of healthy individuals can cause someone’s death in a hospital setting. Therefore, it is crucial to identify areas where cleaning is of critical importance. High-touch surfaces are one such area. Once “dirt is detected,” its deliberate removal and the consistent evaluation of the desired cleanliness outcome are essential. In Estonia, the Scandinavian standard EVS944 Cleanliness Requirements in Healthcare Facilities is used, which helps define the needs-based level of cleanliness, assess its achievement, and identify bottlenecks.