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1Retired Director of the Institute of Hygiene and Medical Microbiology, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany.
GMS Krankenhaushygiene Interdisziplinar
|March 5, 2010
Summary
Hospital hygiene has shifted focus from hand disinfection to include surface and instrument disinfection. This change, driven by antibiotic-resistant infections, emphasizes preventive measures and standardized European guidelines for effective disinfection.
Area of Science:
- Infection Control and Hospital Hygiene
- Microbiology
- Public Health
Background:
- Hospital hygiene practices have significantly evolved since the 1990s, with increased attention to hand, surface, and instrument disinfection.
- The rise of antibiotic-resistant infections (e.g., MRSA, VRE, ESBL) has been a major driver in changing attitudes towards infection control.
- While hands are primary transmission routes, contaminated instruments and surfaces also play a significant role in nosocomial infections.
Purpose of the Study:
- To highlight the paradigm shift in hospital hygiene, emphasizing the importance of preventive disinfection measures.
- To discuss the evolution of guidelines for disinfection efficacy testing in Europe.
- To advocate for continued development of environmentally compatible disinfectants and improved testing methods.
Main Methods:
- Review of historical trends and publications in hospital hygiene and infection control.
- Analysis of the impact of antibiotic-resistant organisms on hygiene strategies.
- Examination of the development and harmonization of European guidelines for disinfection efficacy testing.
Main Results:
- A notable increase in the focus on surface and instrument disinfection alongside hand hygiene in preventing hospital-acquired infections.
- Evidence supporting the role of contaminated surfaces and instruments in pathogen transmission.
- Establishment of European guidelines since 1989 for verified disinfection procedures and high-quality disinfectants.
Conclusions:
- Preventive disinfection, including surface and instrument disinfection, is crucial for controlling nosocomial infections, especially those caused by antibiotic-resistant bacteria.
- Standardized European guidelines ensure the efficacy of disinfectants and disinfection procedures.
- Future efforts should focus on developing broader-spectrum, environmentally friendly disinfectants and refining efficacy testing methods.
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