Cleaning time and motion: an observational study on the time required to effectively clean shared medical equipment in hospitals.
Hospital-acquired infections
decontamination
environmental hygiene
healthcare-associated infections
infection control
patient environment
Journal
The Journal of hospital infection
ISSN: 1532-2939
Titre abrégé: J Hosp Infect
Pays: England
ID NLM: 8007166
Informations de publication
Date de publication:
16 Aug 2024
16 Aug 2024
Historique:
received:
20
03
2024
revised:
10
05
2024
accepted:
06
08
2024
medline:
19
8
2024
pubmed:
19
8
2024
entrez:
18
8
2024
Statut:
aheadofprint
Résumé
Despite the important role that cleaning plays in reducing the risk of healthcare-associated infections no research has been done to quantify the time required to effectively clean and disinfect different pieces of shared medical equipment commonly used in hospitals. In this short report, we present results from a study that aims to quantify the time required to effectively clean common pieces of shared medical equipment. We conducted an observational time and motion study in a nursing simulation laboratory, to determine the time required to effectively clean and disinfect 12 pieces of shared medical equipment commonly used in hospital. After receiving training, participants cleaned and disinfected equipment with the time taken to clean recorded. Cleaning effectiveness was determined if ≥80% of ultraviolet fluorescent dots were removed during the cleaning process. The time to effectively clean equipment ranged from 50 sec (blood glucose testing kit; 95%CI 0:40-1:00 (min:sec)) to 3 min 53 sec (medication trolley; 95%CI 3:36-4:11 (min:sec)). The intravenous stand was most effectively cleaned, with 100% of dots removed (n = 100 dots). Contrastingly, the bladder scanner was the most difficult to clean, with 12 attempts required to meet the 80% cleaned criteria. This study will inform staffing and training requirements to effectively plan the cleaning and disinfect of shared medical equipment. Findings can also be used for business cases and in future cost-effectiveness evaluations of cleaning interventions that include shared medical equipment.
Sections du résumé
BACKGROUND
BACKGROUND
Despite the important role that cleaning plays in reducing the risk of healthcare-associated infections no research has been done to quantify the time required to effectively clean and disinfect different pieces of shared medical equipment commonly used in hospitals. In this short report, we present results from a study that aims to quantify the time required to effectively clean common pieces of shared medical equipment.
METHODS
METHODS
We conducted an observational time and motion study in a nursing simulation laboratory, to determine the time required to effectively clean and disinfect 12 pieces of shared medical equipment commonly used in hospital. After receiving training, participants cleaned and disinfected equipment with the time taken to clean recorded. Cleaning effectiveness was determined if ≥80% of ultraviolet fluorescent dots were removed during the cleaning process.
MAIN RESULTS
RESULTS
The time to effectively clean equipment ranged from 50 sec (blood glucose testing kit; 95%CI 0:40-1:00 (min:sec)) to 3 min 53 sec (medication trolley; 95%CI 3:36-4:11 (min:sec)). The intravenous stand was most effectively cleaned, with 100% of dots removed (n = 100 dots). Contrastingly, the bladder scanner was the most difficult to clean, with 12 attempts required to meet the 80% cleaned criteria.
CONCLUSION
CONCLUSIONS
This study will inform staffing and training requirements to effectively plan the cleaning and disinfect of shared medical equipment. Findings can also be used for business cases and in future cost-effectiveness evaluations of cleaning interventions that include shared medical equipment.
Identifiants
pubmed: 39154896
pii: S0195-6701(24)00268-8
doi: 10.1016/j.jhin.2024.08.001
pii:
doi:
Types de publication
Journal Article
Langues
eng
Sous-ensembles de citation
IM
Informations de copyright
Copyright © 2024 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Ltd.. All rights reserved.
Déclaration de conflit d'intérêts
Conflict of interest statement None to declare. Clinell Universal wipes® were the wipes use to clean and disinfect equipment. These were currently in use by the participating organisation.