title: Use of a fluorescent marker for assessing hospital bathroom cleanliness.
abstract: A fluorescent marker was used to assess the efficacy of daily cleaning in hospital en suite bathrooms. We applied the marker on 218 surfaces and we assigned a score according how completely the mark had been removed. We found significant statistical differences among different surfaces and wards (P < .05). Microbiologic contamination and marker removal score did not seem to be correlated. Differences in cleanliness may indicate discrepancies in cleaning procedures. Fluorescent marker proved to be a practical and effective method and it could be adopted as a first-level control system to assess hospital cleanliness.
authors.affiliation: Department of Molecular and Developmental Medicine, Laboratory of Environmental Hygiene, University of Siena, Siena, Italy.
authors.forename: Mattia
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Fattorini
authors.affiliation: Postgraduate School in Public Health, University of Siena, Siena, Italy.
authors.forename: Emma
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Ceriale
authors.affiliation: Department of Molecular and Developmental Medicine, Laboratory of Environmental Hygiene, University of Siena, Siena, Italy; Postgraduate School in Public Health, University of Siena, Siena, Italy.
authors.forename: Nicola
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Nante
authors.affiliation: Medical Administration, Teaching Hospital "Le Scotte," Siena, Italy.
authors.forename: Daniele
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Lenzi
authors.affiliation: Medical Administration, Teaching Hospital "Le Scotte," Siena, Italy.
authors.forename: Pietro
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Manzi
authors.affiliation: Medical Administration, Teaching Hospital "Le Scotte," Siena, Italy.
authors.forename: Claudia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Basagni
authors.affiliation: Department of Molecular and Developmental Medicine, Laboratory of Environmental Hygiene, University of Siena, Siena, Italy; Postgraduate School in Public Health, University of Siena, Siena, Italy. Electronic address: gabriele.messina@unisi.it.
authors.forename: Gabriele
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Messina
mesh_terms: D003428:Cross Infection / Q000517:prevention & control*; D005456:Fluorescent Dyes; D006761:Hospitals; D006797:Housekeeping, Hospital; D006801:Humans; D017053:Infection Control / Q000379:methods; D013194:Staining and Labeling / Q000379:methods*; D014038:Toilet Facilities
chemical_list: D005456:Fluorescent Dyes
keywords: Environmental cleaning; Health care-associated infection; Hospital hygiene; Italy