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Evaluation of Hospital Floors as a Potential Source of Pathogen Dissemination Using a Nonpathogenic Virus as a
Sreelatha Koganti1, Heba Alhmidi1, Myreen E Tomas2
11Research Service,Louis Stokes Cleveland Veterans Affairs Medical Center,Cleveland,Ohio.
Abstract:
Hospital floors are frequently contaminated with pathogens, but it is not known whether floors are a potential source of transmission. We demonstrated that a nonpathogenic virus inoculated onto floors in hospital rooms disseminated rapidly to the hands of patients and to high-touch surfaces inside and outside the room. Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol 2016;1-4.
Insights
Hospital floors can spread viruses. A study showed a nonpathogenic virus on floors quickly reached patients' hands and surfaces in and out of hospital rooms, indicating a transmission risk.
Area of Science:
- Infectious disease transmission
- Hospital epidemiology
- Microbiology
Background:
- Hospital environments are prone to pathogen contamination.
- The role of floors in disease transmission remains unclear.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate if hospital floors serve as a source for pathogen transmission.
- To track the dissemination of a virus from floors within a hospital setting.
Main Methods:
- A nonpathogenic virus was intentionally placed on hospital room floors.
- Viral dissemination was monitored to patient hands and high-touch surfaces.
- Sampling was conducted both inside and outside the contaminated room.
Main Results:
- The inoculated virus spread rapidly from the floors.
- Viral contamination was detected on patients' hands.
- High-touch surfaces within and beyond the room also became contaminated.
Conclusions:
- Hospital floors can act as a reservoir for pathogen dissemination.
- This highlights a potential route for healthcare-associated infections.
- Interventions targeting floor cleanliness may be crucial for infection control.
