title: Surface microbial contamination in hospitals: A pilot study on methods of sampling and the use of proposed microbiologic standards.
abstract: Contamination of hospital surfaces by bacteria is increasingly recognized. We assessed commonly touched surfaces using contact plates and Petrifilms (3M, St. Paul, MN) and compared the results against proposed microbiology standards. Toilet door handles were the most heavily contaminated (7.97 ± 0.68 colony forming units [CFU]/cm(2)) and exceeded proposed standards on 74% of occasions. Petrifilms detected statistically higher CFU from bedside lockers. Further research is required on the use of standards and methods of sampling.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Microbiology, Education and Research Centre, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Beaumont Hospital, Dublin, Ireland.
authors.forename: Tânia
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Claro
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Microbiology, Education and Research Centre, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Beaumont Hospital, Dublin, Ireland.
authors.forename: Marese
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: O'Reilly
authors.affiliation: National Centre for Plasma Science and Technology, Dublin City University, Dublin, Ireland.
authors.forename: Stephen
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Daniels
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Microbiology, Education and Research Centre, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Beaumont Hospital, Dublin, Ireland; Department of Microbiology, Beaumont Hospital, Dublin, Ireland. Electronic address: hhumphreys@rcsi.ie.
authors.forename: Hilary
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Humphreys
mesh_terms: D001419:Bacteria / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D015169:Colony Count, Microbial; D003428:Cross Infection / Q000517:prevention & control*; D004783:Environmental Microbiology; D004865:Equipment and Supplies, Hospital / Q000382:microbiology; D006761:Hospitals; D006801:Humans; D006920:Hygiene / Q000592:standards*; D010362:Patients' Rooms; D010865:Pilot Projects
keywords: Contact plates; Environmental contamination; Hospital surfaces; Hygiene standards; Petrifilms