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The Problem of Biofilms
"Pseudomonas [the bacterium that causes cystic fibrosis pneumonia] ... [in a biofilm can] survive in bottled iodine solution for up to 15 months."
Science News Magazine
By Philip C. Carling, Janet L. Briggs, Jeanette Perkins, Deborah Highlander
We developed a new method using an invisible fluorescent marker to target standardized high‐touch surfaces in hospital rooms. Evaluation of 1404 surface objects in 157 rooms in 3 hospitals revealed that 47% of targets had been cleaned. Educational interventions were implemented, leading to sustained improvement in cleaning of all objects and a >2‐fold improvement in cleaning of surfaces previously cleaned <85% of the time.
Philip C. Carling - 1,2,3,4
Janet L. Briggs - 1
Jeanette Perkins - 3
Deborah Highlander - 4
1 - Department of Hospital Epidemiology, Carney Hospital, Boston MA
2 - Boston University School of Medicine, Boston MA
3 - Department of Hospital Epidemiology Rehabilitation Hospital of the Cape and Islands, Sandwich MA
4 - Department of Hospital Epidemiology, Quincy Medical Center, Quincy MA
Clinical Infectious Diseases 2006;42:385–388
© 2005 by the Infectious Diseases Society of America. All rights reserved.
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Comment by Allen Rathey on November 29th, 2009 at 10:18am
Mr. Robinson: Good points. Thank you. Does anyone know where to obtain a small, high-powered fluorescent light and targeting markers?
Comment by Jennifer Radzewicz on November 29th, 2009 at 7:53am
This is a great teaching method for beginner cleaning workers as well as a quality inspection tool for experienced workers. This instructional method can be used beyond healthcare into every market segment; K-12, office cleaning, food service, etc.
This method may have a significant role in the upcoming Clean Standard for K-12 schools.