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Study: Independent Observers Best Monitors of Room Cleanliness

When determining if a hospital room meets cleaning and disinfection standards, the U. S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommend that observers outside of the environmental services staff (EVS) conduct inspections. A new study by researchers at Duke University confirms this recommendation, Healio Infectious Disease News reports.

Researchers compared the cleanliness report of six specific hospital room surfaces: bathroom handrails, door knobs, light switches, toilet seats, sinks and chairs. They found that when EVS supervisors examined the surfaces after EVS staff had finished cleaning a room, the supervisors determined 82.5 percent of the surfaces were adequately cleaned and disinfected. However, when research assistants who were not EVS staff members examined the same surfaces, the assistants determined 52.4 percent of the surfaces were adequately cleaned and disinfected.

The CDC recommends that hospital epidemiologists or infection preventionists inspect hospital rooms for cleanliness, as they are less biased than EVS supervisors.