Effectiveness of using a mat filled with a peroxygen disinfectant to minimize shoe sole contamination in a veterinary hospital
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Published on: February 24, 2026
Sandra F Amass1, Mimi Arighi, Joann M Kinyon
1Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907-2026, USA.
Objective:
To determine the effectiveness of using a disinfectant mat filled with a peroxygen compound to prevent mechanical transmission of bacteria via contaminated footwear between the food animal ward and common breezeway of a veterinary teaching hospital.
Design:
Observational study.
Sample Population:
Shoe soles of individuals entering and exiting from the ward.
Procedures:
A mat filled with peroxygen disinfectant was placed at the entrance to the food animal ward, and participants wiped each shoe twice on the mat surface (n = 16) or walked on the mat surface but did not wipe their shoes (17) before entering and exiting from the ward. Swab specimens were collected from the shoe soles of participants before and after mat use and submitted for bacterial culture.
Results:
For both study days, as participants entered the ward, median number of aerobic bacteria isolated from shoe swab specimens collected prior to use of the disinfectant mat was not significantly different from median number isolated after use of the disinfectant mat. However, as participants exited the ward, median number of aerobic bacteria isolated from shoe swab specimens collected prior to use of the disinfectant mat was significantly higher than median number isolated after use of the disinfectant mat.
Conclusions And Clinical Relevance:
Results suggest that placing a mat filled with a peroxygen disinfectant at the exit from the food animal ward of a veterinary teaching hospital may help reduce mechanical transmission of bacteria on the footwear of individuals leaving the ward.
Insights
Disinfectant mats with peroxygen compounds may reduce bacteria on footwear leaving veterinary hospital wards. Wiping shoes on the mat before exiting significantly lowered bacterial counts, aiding biosecurity.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Medicine
- Infection Control
- Microbiology
Background:
- Contaminated footwear can mechanically transmit bacteria within veterinary teaching hospitals.
- Implementing biosecurity measures is crucial to prevent pathogen spread in animal care facilities.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy of a peroxygen disinfectant mat in reducing bacterial contamination on footwear.
- To assess the prevention of bacteria transmission between a food animal ward and a common breezeway.
Main Methods:
- An observational study was conducted using a peroxygen disinfectant mat at the entrance of a food animal ward.
- Participants either wiped shoes twice on the mat or walked on it before entering and exiting.
- Bacterial cultures from shoe sole swabs were analyzed before and after mat use.
Main Results:
- No significant difference in bacterial counts was observed when entering the ward.
- A significant reduction in aerobic bacteria was found on shoe soles after exiting the ward.
Conclusions:
- Peroxygen disinfectant mats may be effective in reducing bacterial transmission via footwear when exiting veterinary hospital wards.
- This intervention shows potential for enhancing biosecurity in veterinary teaching hospitals.
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