Terminal cleaning
| Terminal cleaning | |
|---|---|
 Non-flammable alcohol vapor in carbon dioxide systems being used as the final step in sanitizing a swing-out toilet in a hospital ER exam room |
Terminal cleaning is the thorough cleaning of a room after use, used in healthcare environments to control the spread of infections.
Justification
[edit]Nosocomial infections claim approximately 90,000 lives in the United States annually. When patients are hospitalized and identified as having methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus or infections that can be spread to other patients, best practices isolate these patients in rooms that are subjected to terminal cleaning when the patient is discharged.[citation needed]
For example, terminal cleaning reduces the spread of C. difficile infections.[1]
Procedure
[edit]Terminal cleaning requires cleaning the entire room after use by the patient.[2] Methods vary, but involve disinfection of all surfaces and discarding all disposable items and cleaning rags or towels as medical waste.[2]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ Butler, M; Olson, A; Drekonja, D; Shaukat, A; Schwehr, N; Shippee, N; Wilt, TJ (March 2016). "Early Diagnosis, Prevention, and Treatment of Clostridium difficile: Update [Internet]". PMID 27148613.
{{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires|journal=(help) - ^ a b "Cleaning & disinfection". The Northern Ireland Regional Infection Prevention and Control Manual. Health and Social Care (Northern Ireland). Retrieved April 20, 2022.
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