The role of ultraviolet marker assessments in demonstrating cleaning efficacy

Cleaning standards measuring compliance using visual auditing alone can be misleading, because visually clean surfaces might not be cleaned of pathogens. An evidence-based system using both visual auditing and ultraviolet marker (UVM) assessments is recommended. Using a UVM system has enabled our he...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:American journal of infection control 2015-12, Vol.43 (12), p.1347-1349
Main Authors: Gillespie, Elizabeth, BN, SIC, MPubHlth(Melb), Wright, P. Louise, BN, SIC, Snook, Kylie, BN, IC cert, Ryan, Susan, BApp Sci(Nsg), IC cert, MNsg, Vandergraaf, Susan, BN, SIC, Grad Dip Crit Care, Abernethy, Mardi, BN, SIC, Grad Dip ED(Nsg), Lovegrove, Anita, BN, SIC, MNsg
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Cleaning
Compliance
Disinfection - methods
Disinfection - standards
Environmental cleaning
Environmental Microbiology
Environmental Monitoring - methods
Health Facilities
Health risk assessment
Humans
Infection Control
Infectious Disease
Nosocomial infections
Pathogens
Quality Control
Ultraviolet marker assessment
Ultraviolet radiation
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Summary:Cleaning standards measuring compliance using visual auditing alone can be misleading, because visually clean surfaces might not be cleaned of pathogens. An evidence-based system using both visual auditing and ultraviolet marker (UVM) assessments is recommended. Using a UVM system has enabled our health service to measure infection risk and implement actions to improve results. We recommend adopting a combined monitoring process using visual auditing with UVM audits to enhance cleaning and reduce the risk of health care–associated infection.
ISSN:0196-6553
1527-3296
DOI:10.1016/j.ajic.2015.07.025