title: The role of environmental cleaning in health care-associated infections.
abstract: Multidrug-resistant organisms such as methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and toxin-producing organisms such as Clostridium difficile have been a concern for over 30 years. An increasing focus is being placed on the role that an unclean environment can play in transmission. This article describes the pathogens of concern and the use of a robust environmental cleaning program to help reduce the chances for hospital-acquired infections.
authors.affiliation: St Luke's Baptist Hospital, Baptist Health System, San Antonio, Texas, USA. ymkley@baptisthealthsystem.com
authors.forename: Yvonne
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Kleypas
authors.forename: Dennis
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: McCubbin
authors.forename: Elizabeth S
authors.initials: ES
authors.lastname: Curnow
mesh_terms: D003422:Critical Care; D003428:Cross Infection / Q000517:prevention & control*; D024901:Drug Resistance, Multiple, Bacterial; D052918:Environmental Restoration and Remediation; D006801:Humans; D017053:Infection Control / Q000458:organization & administration*