How long do nosocomial pathogens persist on inanimate surfaces? A scoping review

Area of Science:

• Infection Prevention and Control
• Microbiology
• Environmental Hygiene

Background:

• Healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) are a significant concern, with patient rooms posing a risk of pathogen transmission.
• Previous research indicated that certain pathogens can persist on surfaces for extended periods.
• Understanding pathogen survival on environmental surfaces is critical for effective infection control.

Purpose of the Study:

• To update a 2006 systematic review on pathogen survival in healthcare environments.
• To provide contemporary data on the environmental persistence of clinically relevant pathogens.
• To inform evidence-based cleaning and disinfection strategies.

Main Methods:

• Systematic literature search of Ovid MEDLINE, CINAHL, and Scopus databases.
• Inclusion of studies reporting survival times of bacterial, viral, and fungal nosocomial pathogens.
• Data extraction and synthesis from 62 selected studies.

Main Results:

• 117 different organisms' survival times were reported across the included studies.
• Klebsiella pneumoniae demonstrated the longest survival, persisting for up to 600 days.
• Many common healthcare-associated pathogens can survive on inanimate surfaces for months.

Conclusions:

• Pathogen persistence on surfaces necessitates a risk-based approach to environmental cleaning.
• Effective infection prevention requires a bundle approach including training, audits, and feedback.
• Updated data reinforces the importance of stringent hygiene practices in healthcare facilities.