Beyond the Hawthorne effect: reduction of Clostridium difficile environmental contamination through active intervention to improve cleaning practices

Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol. 2013 May;34(5):524-6. doi: 10.1086/670213.

Abstract

Education and passive observation resulted in a significant improvement in housekeeper disinfection of nontoxigenic Clostridium difficile spores artificially inoculated onto surfaces in C. difficile infection rooms. A further significant reduction occurred with direct supervision and real-time feedback, suggesting that optimal disinfection is achieved by working closely with housekeepers.

Publication types

  • Evaluation Study

MeSH terms

  • Clostridioides difficile / isolation & purification
  • Disinfection / organization & administration*
  • Disinfection / standards
  • Equipment Contamination / prevention & control*
  • Feedback
  • Housekeeping, Hospital / organization & administration*
  • Housekeeping, Hospital / standards
  • Humans
  • Personnel, Hospital / education*
  • Quality Control