Patient environments play a significant role in healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) and surgical site infections (SSIs). To reduce contamination risks, perioperative staff should use a bundled approach to perform standardized cleaning and disinfection routines. Effective yet time-efficient environmental cleaning involves identifying high-touch surfaces and patient-near areas, as they are relevant for evaluating the risk of pathogen transmission. The Robert Koch Institute (RKI) gives guidance on cleaning and disinfection measures for surfaces in various areas. Recommendations are based on the frequency of hand and skin contact:
Areas without a risk of infection | Areas with a possible risk of infection | Areas at particular risk of infection | Areas with infectious patients |
|---|---|---|---|
Stairwells, corridors, offices, dining rooms, lecture halls, classrooms, technical areas | General wards, outpatient departments, radiology, physical therapy, first-aid rooms, dialysis, intensive care | OR departments, special intensive care, transplant units, oncology departments | Isolation or functional areas in which these patients are treated |
All surfaces should be cleaned. Routine surface disinfection is not required. | Routine disinfection of surfaces that have frequent hand or skin contact is recommended. Floors and other surfaces should be cleaned. | Routine disinfection of surfaces that have frequent hand or skin contact, as well as floors, is recommended. Other surfaces should be cleaned. | Routine disinfection of surfaces that have frequent hand or skin contact, as well as floors, is recommended. Other surfaces should be cleaned. |
Source: KRINKO: Anforderungen an die Hygiene bei der Reinigung und Desinfektion von Flächen. Empfehlung der Kommission für Krankenhaushygiene und Infektionsprävention beim Robert-Koch-Institut (RKI). Bundesgesundheitsbl. 2004; 47: 51–61
