How long do nosocomial pathogens persist on inanimate surfaces?
| Type of post: | Teaching Resource |
| Sub-type: | IPC Journal Club |
| Posted By: | Jenny Watts |
| Status: | Current |
| Date Posted: | Thu, 20 Mar 2025 |
Many thanks to Dr Pete-Anne for her presentation of the journal paper "How long do nosocomial pathogens persist on inanimate surfaces? A scoping review", and for the recommendations that she helped us to draw from it:
• Increase Awareness - Educate staff on pathogen persistence and promote best practices in cleaning and disinfection.
• Standardize Protocols - Develop and implement standardized cleaning protocols and regularly update based on latest research.
• Invest in Training - Continuous education for IPC professionals and encourage knowledge sharing and collaboration.
Other resources to continue to investigate the subject of Environmental cleaning include:
• Increase Awareness - Educate staff on pathogen persistence and promote best practices in cleaning and disinfection.
• Standardize Protocols - Develop and implement standardized cleaning protocols and regularly update based on latest research.
• Invest in Training - Continuous education for IPC professionals and encourage knowledge sharing and collaboration.
Other resources to continue to investigate the subject of Environmental cleaning include:
- Environmental cleaning and disinfection of patient areas (https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1201971217302709) - a review article which gives reference to other articles if you would like to further your research into particular aspects of environmental cleaning in healthcare.
- CDC's Best Practices for Environmental Cleaning in Global Healthcare Facilities with Limited Resources (https://www.cdc.gov/healthcare-associated-infections/hcp/cleaning-global/index.html), with Chapter 5 covering Environmental Cleaning Procedures (https://www.cdc.gov/healthcare-associated-infections/hcp/cleaning-global/procedures.html).
- Environmental cleaning and infection prevention and control resources (https://www.safetyandquality.gov.au/our-work/infection-prevention-and-control/environmental-cleaning-and-infection-prevention-and-control-resources) - these resources from the Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Healthcare may be helpful in building resources for your own health service.
- Role of Nurses in Preventing and Controlling Risks of Acquiring Healthcare-Associated Infections from Common Touch Surfaces (Role of Nurses in Preventing and Controlling Risk of Acquiring Healthcare-Associated Infections from Common Touch Surfaces: An Instructional Video - Theseus) - a paper about producing educational resources (video and other) centred on preventing and controlling the risks of acquiring HAIs from common touch surfaces, which might give you some ideas about making your own teaching aids.
