title: The disinfection of baths and shower trolleys in hospitals.
abstract: The contamination level of bath tubs and shower trolleys has been studied after use by hospital patients and following either disinfection with a phenolic disinfectant-detergent or cleaning with a detergent. After use the surfaces were contaminated with 0.5 x 10(3) - 1.7 x 10(3) colony-forming units/dm2. Cleaning and disinfection reduced the contamination level approximately tenfold. As disinfection is not more efficient than cleaning the latter procedure should routinely be preferred after each use of a bath or a shower trolley. However, disinfection may be more effective than cleaning after bathing or showering a patient with a major wound or skin infection.
mesh_terms: D001494:Baths; D004203:Disinfection; D006761:Hospitals; D006801:Humans; D013242:Sterilization; D013548:Sweden