HIGHLIGHTS
- •Automated floor machine cleaning and disinfection were evaluated against S. aureus
- •Disinfection efficacy was concentration and disinfectant chemistry dependent
- •Disinfectants reduced the risk of cross-contamination compared to a cleaner
- •Machine components and wastewater could serve as pathogen reservoirs
ABSTRACT
Background
: Optimization of automated floor disinfection practices using different application
methods and product types is important to ensure that pathogens such as Staphylococcus aureus do not transfer from contaminated floors to other high contact areas resulting in
healthcare-associated infections (HAIs). We hypothesized that there would be significant
differences among disinfectants and a cleaner under different application methods.
Also, performance of application methods would be dependent upon type of product used.
Methods
: We tested and compared efficacies of five EPA registered disinfectants and one cleaner
using an automated Taski 455B floor cleaner against S. aureus ATCC 6538 on two meters
of contaminated vinyl flooring using three application methods.
Results
: Hydrogen peroxide and quaternary ammonium compounds were more efficacious against
S. aureus than the neutral cleaner. There were no significant differences among the
sampling areas tested and application methods regardless of product type. Mean log10 densities recovered from different machine parts and wastewater collected were statistically
higher for the cleaner than disinfectants.
Conclusions
: All disinfectants had more bactericidal efficacy than the cleaner for all sampling
zones on the tested floor. Overall, performance of the floor machine is dependent
upon the type of product used.
Keywords
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