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Sunday / November 3.
HomeminewsStudy Confirms Need for More Cleaning

Study Confirms Need for More Cleaning

Cleaning shared medical equipment at least once a day – even with a disinfectant wipe – can significantly reduce infections in hospitals and possibly save lives, new research shows.

The finding is based on results from the CLEEN study, a randomised control trial led by Professor Brett Mitchell from Avondale University in a hospital on the Central Coast of New South Wales, with colleagues, including fellow chief-investigator and Monash University Professor Philip Russo.

Published in The Lancet Infectious Diseases,1 the study introduced an intervention that consisted of additional cleaning, education on techniques, and an audit of, and feedback on, cleanliness.

Dedicated cleaners, rather than healthcare workers usually responsible for cleaning, completed three extra hours of cleaning each day on shared equipment such as commodes, drip stands, and walking aids.

To measure cleanliness, the researchers placed fluorescent marker gel dots on the surface of the equipment. When the dots dried, they became visible only under special light and resisted dry abrasion, which meant they could be removed only by a thorough clean.

Prof Mitchell said the findings supported more – not less – cleaning in hospitals. He said before the CLEEN study, there were about 100 more infections before the intervention. “A proportion of these would have had major complications resulting from their infection, including death,” he said.

Prof Russo said the study demonstrated the critical role of dedicated cleaners. “Infection prevention relies on multiple interventions, not just one. We now have strong evidence that cleaning can save lives,” he said.

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