healthcare-associated infections (HAI) program

Monitoring Cleaning

Clipboard checklist.

Monitoring FAQs

Bartley et al. Clinical Microbiology Newsletter. 2008 (article via Clinical Microbiology Newsletter)

Method	Visual	Fluorescence	ATP
1. What id measured?	impression of cleanliness	whether fluorescence residual has been removedd	bilogical matter remaining on surface after cleaning
2. Can it be used by persons of differing skill levels?	no technical training required	some technical training needed	some technical training needed
3. How objective is the method? (Can reuslts be changed to appear more positive?)	can be subjective	objective, but marks could have been removed prior to reading	very objective
4. Can the amount of time spent on monitoring be minimized?	yes	room mustbe pre-marked and read after cleaning	yes
5. How are results presented?	pass/fail	pass/fail	numeric value
6. Is software needed for the monitoring process?	no	can be used, but not required	yes
7. How well can it be used for a training tool?	results immediate with visual cues	results immediate with visual cues	results delayed, no visual cues, usually available from surface
8. How affordable is the method?	no monetary investment	materials inexpensive, if formal program including staff education is purchased, expenses will be higher	cost of machine and swabs is substantial

High-touch surfaces are frequently overlooked by hospital environmental services staff.
In one study, the adequacy of cleaning of high-touch surfaces was found to be 48% in 36 hospitals

Assessing adequacy of environmental cleaning is essential
Feedback to cleaning assessment data to environmental services personnel can drive performance improvement

Carling et al.ICHE 2008 (read article via PubMed)

Monitoring technology can be used to assess adequacy of environmental cleaning and inform staff education and administrative interventions.
In one study, 36 hospitals used a fluorescent monitoring method to evaluate the thoroughness of patient room disinfection.

Each hospital met with administrative personnel to review monitoring technology findings and develop intervention plans
Education of and feedback to environmental services personnel resulted in significant improvements in environmental cleaning

Carling. ICHE. 2008 (Improving cleaning of the environment surrounding patients in 36 acute care hospitals article via PubMed)

A properly cleaned care environment is essential to prevent or contain HAIs
A surface must be physically cleaned before it can be disinfected
Consistent use of best practices and clarity of roles should be emphasized
Use of technologies such as microfiber, monitoring systems, and whole-room disinfection after cleaning are increasingly becoming the community standard of care
EVS staff should be valued and supported so they can maximize their unique contributions to preventing HAI