ICUs not as clean as they appear
Accreditation Insider, December 8, 2015
Want to receive articles like this one in your inbox? Subscribe to Accreditation Insider!
A recent study published in The American Journal of Infection Control found that while most areas of ICU are routinely cleaned, clinical workstations are often overlooked. During their sampling, researchers found 13 different multidrug-resistant organisms (MDROs) within a busy ICU. Nine of the MDROs found were on clinical workstation objects such as chairs, computer mice, clipboards, keys and telephones.
“In this pilot study, we found that many of the high touch objects from which MDROs were recovered were not items included in cleaning protocols,” state the study authors.
The researchers recommend that hospitals review the hygiene standards of ICU clinical workspaces to limit the spread of infection. They also recommend that ICUs use adenosine triphosphate (ATP) testing of surfaces to search for MDROs. During the study it was found that ATP testing was seven times more effective at finding the presence of MDROs than microbial swabbing.
Want to receive articles like this one in your inbox? Subscribe to Accreditation Insider!
Related Products
Most Popular
- Articles
-
- Note similarities and differences between HCPCS, CPT® codes
- Practice the six rights of medication administration
- Don't forget the three checks in medication administration
- Joint Commission clarifies ligature risk requirements
- OB services: Coding inside and outside of the package
- What to include on the incident report
- Q&A: Primary, principal, and secondary diagnoses
- 3 ways CNOs can improve workplace culture
- Code diagnoses and outpatient treatment for PTSD
- Understanding nursing roles in quality improvement
- E-mailed
-
- OB services: Coding inside and outside of the package
- Q: What are the requirements of an agency's professional advisory committee (PAC)?
- Q/A: Reporting L code and CPT code for splinting
- Q&A: Charging for drug administration during urgent care visit
- Prioritize sepsis assessments in your overcrowded emergency department
- Know guidelines and subtle differences in code descriptions for laceration repairs
- Joint Commission clarifies ligature risk requirements
- Food and drink in patient care areas
- Don't bill 59025, 76818 separately without separate physician orders
- Crossing state lines: What are the rules?
- Searched