title: Cleaning and disinfecting environmental surfaces in health care: Toward an integrated framework for infection and occupational illness prevention.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The Cleaning and Disinfecting in Healthcare Working Group of the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, National Occupational Research Agenda, is a collaboration of infection prevention and occupational health researchers and practitioners with the objective of providing a more integrated approach to effective environmental surface cleaning and disinfection (C&D) while protecting the respiratory health of health care personnel.
  
  
  METHODS
  The Working Group, comprised of >40 members from 4 countries, reviewed current knowledge and identified knowledge gaps and future needs for research and practice.
  
  
  RESULTS
  An integrated framework was developed to guide more comprehensive efforts to minimize harmful C&D exposures without reducing the effectiveness of infection prevention. Gaps in basic knowledge and practice that are barriers to an integrated approach were grouped in 2 broad areas related to the need for improved understanding of the (1) effectiveness of environmental surface C&D to reduce the incidence of infectious diseases and colonization in health care workers and patients and (2) adverse health impacts of C&D on health care workers and patients. Specific needs identified within each area relate to basic knowledge, improved selection and use of products and practices, effective hazard communication and training, and safer alternatives.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A more integrated approach can support multidisciplinary teams with the capacity to maximize effective and safe C&D in health care.
authors: Department of Work Environment, University of Massachusetts Lowell, Lowell, MA. Electronic address: Margaret_Quinn@uml.edu.
authors: Margaret M
authors: MM
authors: Quinn
authors: Division of Respiratory Disease Studies, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Morgantown, WV.
authors: Paul K
authors: PK
authors: Henneberger
authors: Barbara
authors: B
authors: Braun
authors: George L
authors: GL
authors: Delclos
authors: Kathleen
authors: K
authors: Fagan
authors: Vanthida
authors: V
authors: Huang
authors: Jennifer L S
authors: JL
authors: Knaack
authors: Linda
authors: L
authors: Kusek
authors: Soo-Jeong
authors: SJ
authors: Lee
authors: Nicole
authors: N
authors: Le Moual
authors: Kathryn A E
authors: KA
authors: Maher
authors: Susan H
authors: SH
authors: McCrone
authors: Amber Hogan
authors: AH
authors: Mitchell
authors: Elise
authors: E
authors: Pechter
authors: Kenneth
authors: K
authors: Rosenman
authors: Lynne
authors: L
authors: Sehulster
authors: Alicia C
authors: AC
authors: Stephens
authors: Susan
authors: S
authors: Wilburn
authors: Jan-Paul
authors: JP
authors: Zock
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003428:Cross Infection / Q000517:prevention & control*; D003666:Decontamination / Q000379:methods*; D004203:Disinfection / Q000379:methods*; D004783:Environmental Microbiology; D005260:Female; D006268:Health Facilities; D006801:Humans; D017053:Infection Control / Q000379:methods* / Q000458:organization & administration*; D008297:Male; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control*
keywords: Asthma; Disinfection; Green cleaning; Infection prevention; Occupational exposure