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The influence of different footwear on floor contamination
Abstract:
The importance of walking as a source of floor contamination and the influence of different footwear routines on floor contamination was evaluated. The contamination of a floor due to walking was about 16 times higher than contamination of the floor due to sedimentation only, measured with impression plates. No significant difference in floor contamination could be seen with different footwear (ordinary shoes, clean shoes, shoe covers). In all experiments the amount of bacteria, was low in the morning and increased in the middle of the day when a steady state seemed to be reached. The number of Staphylococcus aureus continued to increase. A footwear regimen is only recommended in areas where floors are cleaned frequently during the day as in operating wards.
Insights
Walking significantly increases floor contamination compared to passive settling. Footwear type had no impact, but bacterial levels rose throughout the day, especially Staphylococcus aureus. Footwear protocols are best for frequently cleaned areas.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Environmental Hygiene
Background:
- Floor contamination is a significant concern in healthcare and other sensitive environments.
- Understanding sources of contamination, such as walking and footwear, is crucial for effective hygiene protocols.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the contribution of walking to floor contamination.
- To assess the impact of different footwear routines on bacterial levels.
- To analyze daily bacterial load fluctuations and specific pathogen behavior.
Main Methods:
- Impression plates were used to measure floor contamination.
- Experiments compared contamination from walking versus sedimentation.
- Different footwear types (ordinary shoes, clean shoes, shoe covers) were tested.
- Bacterial counts were monitored throughout the day, with a focus on Staphylococcus aureus.
Main Results:
- Walking increased floor contamination approximately 16-fold compared to sedimentation alone.
- No significant difference in contamination was observed between ordinary shoes, clean shoes, and shoe covers.
- Bacterial levels were lowest in the morning, increasing to a steady state by midday.
- Staphylococcus aureus counts showed a continuous increase throughout the experimental period.
Conclusions:
- Walking is a primary driver of floor contamination, significantly outweighing passive deposition.
- Current footwear routines do not substantially reduce contamination levels.
- Implementing footwear regimens is most effective in environments with frequent floor cleaning, such as operating wards.
- Continuous monitoring is necessary, particularly for pathogens like Staphylococcus aureus.