title: Evaluating and operationalizing an environmental auditing program: a pilot study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Environmental auditing is an important tool to ensure consistent and effective cleaning. Our pilot study compared an alcohol-based fluorescent marking product and an adenosine-5'-triphosphate bioluminescence product for use in an environmental auditing program to determine which product was more practical and acceptable to users.
  
  
  METHODS
  Both products were tested on 15 preselected high touch objects in randomly selected patient rooms, following regular daily cleaning. A room was considered a "pass" if ≥80% of surfaces were adequately cleaned as defined by manufacturers' guidelines. A qualitative survey assessed user preference and operational considerations.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Using fluorescent marking, 9 of 37 patient rooms evaluated (24%) were considered a "pass" after daily cleaning. Using adenosine-5'-triphosphate bioluminescence, 21 of 37 patient rooms passed (57%). There was great variability in results between different high touch objects. Eighty percent of users preferred the alcohol-based fluorescent marking product because it provided an effective visual aid to coach staff on proper cleaning techniques and allowed simple and consistent application.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Environmental auditing using translucent, alcohol-based fluorescent marking best met the requirements of our organization. Our results reinforce the importance of involving a multidisciplinary team in evaluating and operationalizing an environmental auditing program.
authors: The Ottawa Hospital, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.
authors: Laura
authors: L
authors: Gordon
authors: The Ottawa Hospital, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. Electronic address: nbruce@toh.on.ca.
authors: Natalie
authors: N
authors: Bruce
authors: The Ottawa Hospital, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.
authors: Kathryn N
authors: KN
authors: Suh
authors: The Ottawa Hospital, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.
authors: Virginia
authors: V
authors: Roth
mesh_terms: D004783:Environmental Microbiology / Q000592:standards*; D006268:Health Facilities; D006797:Housekeeping, Hospital / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards*; D006801:Humans; D017053:Infection Control / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011786:Quality Control; D013194:Staining and Labeling / Q000379:methods*
keywords: ATP bioluminescence; Fluorescent marking; Quality assurance