title: Disinfectants used for environmental disinfection and new room decontamination technology.
abstract: Environmental contamination plays an important role in the transmission of several key health care-associated pathogens. Effective and thorough cleaning/disinfecting of the patient environment is essential. Room decontamination units (such as ultraviolet-C and hydrogen peroxide systems) aid in reducing environmental contamination after terminal room cleaning and disinfection.
authors.affiliation: Hospital Epidemiology, University of North Carolina Health Care System, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-7030, USA. brutala@unch.unc.edu
authors.forename: William A
authors.initials: WA
authors.lastname: Rutala
authors.forename: David J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Weber
mesh_terms: D003428:Cross Infection / Q000517:prevention & control*; D003666:Decontamination / Q000379:methods*; D004202:Disinfectants / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004203:Disinfection / Q000379:methods*; D004783:Environmental Microbiology; D006797:Housekeeping, Hospital / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards; D006801:Humans; D006861:Hydrogen Peroxide / Q000494:pharmacology; D009873:Operating Rooms; D010362:Patients' Rooms; D014466:Ultraviolet Rays
chemical_list: D004202:Disinfectants; D006861:Hydrogen Peroxide