Environmental surface infection control, 2003

Infection control guidelines address the routine use of disposable covers and cleaning and disinfecting treatment-area surfaces contaminated during patient care. While the rationale and approaches for accomplishing environmental surface disinfection have been considered in many previous infection control recommendations, exaggerated claims have led to some confusion regarding the wide variety of available surface covers and disinfectant products. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Guideline for Infection Control in Dental Health-Care Settings, 2003, considers the current state of scientific and clinical knowledge in environmental infection control, reinforce basic principles, and provide updated recommendations aimed at minimizing the potential for microbial cross-contamination and cross-infection from inanimate surfaces.