UCL Discovery
UCL home » Library Services » Electronic resources » UCL Discovery

How to carry out microbiological sampling of healthcare environment surfaces? A review of current evidence

Rawlinson, S; Ciric, L; Cloutman-Green, E; (2019) How to carry out microbiological sampling of healthcare environment surfaces? A review of current evidence. Journal of Hospital Infection 10.1016/j.jhin.2019.07.015. (In press). Green open access

[thumbnail of Ciric_How to carry out microbiological sampling of healthcare environment surfaces_AAM.pdf]
Preview
Text
Ciric_How to carry out microbiological sampling of healthcare environment surfaces_AAM.pdf - Accepted Version

Download (1MB) | Preview

Abstract

BACKGROUND: There is increasing evidence that the hospital surface environment contributes to the spread of pathogens. However, evidence on how best to sample these surfaces is patchy and there is no guidance or legislation in place on how to do this. AIM: The aim of this review was to assess current literature on surface sampling methodologies, including the devices used, processing methods, the environmental and biological factors that might influence results. METHODS: Studies published prior to March 2019 were selected using relevant keywords from ScienceDirect, Web of Science and PubMed. Abstracts were reviewed and all data-based studies in peer-reviewed journals in the English language were included. Microbiological air and water sampling in the hospital environment were not included. FINDINGS: Although the numbers of cells or virions recovered from hospital surface environments were generally low, the majority of surfaces sampled were microbiologically contaminated. Of the organisms detected, multi-drug resistant organisms and clinically significant pathogens were frequently isolated and could, therefore, present a risk to vulnerable patients. Great variation was found between methods and the available data was incomplete and incomparable. CONCLUSION: Available literature on sampling methods demonstrated deficits with potential improvements for future research. Many of the studies included in the review were laboratory based and not undertaken in the real hospital environment where sampling recoveries could be affected by the many variables present in a clinical environment. It was therefore difficult to draw overall conclusions, however some recommendations for the design of routine protocols for surface sampling of healthcare environments can be made.

Type: Article
Title: How to carry out microbiological sampling of healthcare environment surfaces? A review of current evidence
Location: England
Open access status: An open access version is available from UCL Discovery
DOI: 10.1016/j.jhin.2019.07.015
Publisher version: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhin.2019.07.015
Language: English
Additional information: © 2019 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd on behalf of The Healthcare Infection Society. Under a Creative Commons license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/).
Keywords: HCAIs, environment, healthcare, infection prevention and control, sampling, surfaces
UCL classification: UCL
UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > UCL BEAMS
UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > UCL BEAMS > Faculty of Engineering Science
UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > UCL BEAMS > Faculty of Engineering Science > Dept of Civil, Environ and Geomatic Eng
URI: https://discovery.ucl.ac.uk/id/eprint/10079975
Downloads since deposit
207Downloads
Download activity - last month
Download activity - last 12 months
Downloads by country - last 12 months

Archive Staff Only

View Item View Item