ENVIRONMENTAL CLEANING AND DISINFECTION

Microbial contamination of inanimate surfaces and equipment represents a significant risk factor in the transmission of healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) and in the spread of multidrug-resistant microorganisms.The persistence of microorganisms on these surfaces—ranging from a few hours to several months [1]—particularly on frequently touched surfaces by healthcare workers and patients, constitutes a major source of indirect contact transmission, contributing to the dissemination of multidrug-resistant pathogens such as methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE), and Clostridioides difficile.Several publications have demonstrated an increased risk of infection when a patient is admitted to a room previously occupied by an infected or colonized patient, highlighting the critical importance of environmental management and hygiene practices in healthcare facilities. This underscores the role of cleaning, sanitation, and disinfection as key measures to reduce infection risk [2]. The quality of cleaning, sanitation, and disinfection practices is essential to effectively mitigate infectious risk [3].A comprehensive prevention strategy should therefore be implemented, classifying healthcare environments according to risk level, defining the most appropriate methodologies and tools, and establishing standardized procedures and criteria for evaluating cleaning effectiveness. Such an approach should rely on objective assessment methods (e.g., bioluminescence assays) rather than predominantly visual inspection of cleaning and sanitation quality.To raise global awareness of environmental hygiene in healthcare settings, “Clean Hospitals Day” is celebrated annually on October 20 [4].