Background/Aim: The transmission of antimicrobial-resistant pathogens has become a major problem associated with significant mortality and high health-care costs. Outbreaks have been reported in association with inadequate environmental cleaning.
Methods: This paper describes the hospital wide implementation of enhanced cleaning processes following a pilot done six months earlier. The improved method includes revised process of cleaning using the two bucket method with micro-fibre cloths soaked with Mikro Quart or phenolic instead of the traditional spraying of disinfectant on cloths. Housekeeping staffs are trained on importance of cleaning the 14 “High Touch” surfaces. These are conducted twice a year in 4 languages. The structured monitoring and evaluation programme included using a fluorescent marker, “Glo-germ” powder at random points in the ward. The housekeeper was given immediate feedback on the audit finding and corrective actions taken accordingly.
Results: An improvement in environmental cleaning audit from a median of 64% to 95% following the above intervention (P< .001) was noted in the pilot phase. However, there is no significant difference in the nosocomial MRSA infection before and after intervention. Following hospital wide implementation, the mean rate for compliance to adequate environmental cleaning was 82.5%.
Conclusion: The multiprong interventions of enhanced understanding of housekeeping staffs, improved methods in cleaning and immediate concurrent feedback on performance led to an improved process that yielded a higher chance of adequate cleaning of the environment. The team is now considering the possibility of moving to use of disposable cleaning so as to further reduce time spent in cleaning.