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Experts call for integration of hospital infection, occupational risk prevention
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A more integrated approach is needed to prevent infection and occupational illness from cleaning agents in hospitals and other health care settings, according to members of the Cleaning and Disinfecting in Healthcare Working Group of the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health.
The CDHC Working Group — a collection of more than 40 infection prevention and occupational health researchers and practitioners from 4 countries — developed a multidisciplinary summary document outlining the latest information on nosocomial infection. Members conducted regular telephone conference calls, sharing cross-disciplinary information and developing specific topics. The major goals of this summary document were to provide a multidisciplinary summary of the advantages and dangers inherent in the cleaning and disinfection of environmental surfaces and items used for patient care; extract key scientific literature on this topic; and outline significant knowledge, policy or practice gaps.
The group determined that the prevention of health care infections and occupational health protection measures are often conducted separately, and that these two undertakings should be more integrated. According to the researchers, this would minimize workers’ exposure to harsh cleaning or disinfecting agents without undermining infection prevention efforts. Potentially hindering this integration, however, are gaps in basic knowledge and practice guidance, they said. Based on a review of current literature and the expertise of CDHC Working Group members, two broad areas of potential improvement in infection prevention and occupational protection were identified. Group members wrote that a better understanding was needed regarding the use of cleaning and disinfecting agents as well as protocols to decrease the incidence of infectious disease and colonization. Additionally, they wrote that more education will be needed to inform health care workers of the potential harms of cleaning and disinfecting agents, particularly in terms of respiratory health effects.
The document outlined information about surface contamination, cleaning product selection, toxicologic risk assessment, illness surveillance systems, floor cleaning practices, and other relevant topics. The group also advocated improved communication about hazards and prevention measures.
“Professional organizations in infection prevention and occupational health are well-positioned to take leadership in this effort by establishing joint committees and engaging with funders to set priorities and a time table to move the research and improved practice guidance forward,” they concluded.
Disclosure: The researchers report no relevant financial disclosures.
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