title: The role of ultraviolet marker assessments in demonstrating cleaning efficacy.
abstract: Cleaning standards measuring compliance using visual auditing alone can be misleading, because visually clean surfaces might not be cleaned of pathogens. An evidence-based system using both visual auditing and ultraviolet marker (UVM) assessments is recommended. Using a UVM system has enabled our health service to measure infection risk and implement actions to improve results. We recommend adopting a combined monitoring process using visual auditing with UVM audits to enhance cleaning and reduce the risk of health care-associated infection.
authors.affiliation: Infection Control and Epidemiology Unit, Monash Health, Clayton, Victoria, Australia. Electronic address: elizabeth.gillespie@monashhealth.org.
authors.forename: Elizabeth
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Gillespie
authors.affiliation: Infection Control and Epidemiology Unit, Monash Health, Clayton, Victoria, Australia.
authors.forename: P Louise
authors.initials: PL
authors.lastname: Wright
authors.affiliation: Infection Control and Epidemiology Unit, Monash Health, Clayton, Victoria, Australia.
authors.forename: Kylie
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Snook
authors.affiliation: Infection Control and Epidemiology Unit, Monash Health, Clayton, Victoria, Australia.
authors.forename: Susan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ryan
authors.affiliation: Infection Control and Epidemiology Unit, Monash Health, Clayton, Victoria, Australia.
authors.forename: Susan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Vandergraaf
authors.affiliation: Infection Control and Epidemiology Unit, Monash Health, Clayton, Victoria, Australia.
authors.forename: Mardi
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Abernethy
authors.affiliation: Infection Control and Epidemiology Unit, Monash Health, Clayton, Victoria, Australia.
authors.forename: Anita
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Lovegrove
mesh_terms: D004203:Disinfection / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards*; D004783:Environmental Microbiology; D004784:Environmental Monitoring / Q000379:methods*; D006268:Health Facilities; D006801:Humans; D011786:Quality Control
keywords: Cleaning; Environmental cleaning; Ultraviolet marker assessment