Carpeting in hospitals: an epidemiological evaluation

Area of Science:

• Hospital epidemiology
• Microbiology
• Environmental hygiene

Background:

• Hospital-acquired infections are a significant concern.
• The role of flooring in microbial contamination and patient colonization requires further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare the microbiological profiles of carpeted (CR) versus non-carpeted (NCR) hospital rooms.
• To assess the relationship between environmental microbial contamination and patient colonization and disease.

Main Methods:

• Epidemiological and microbiological sampling in CR and NCR hospital rooms.
• Core carpet samples and bare floor swabs for microbial enumeration and identification.
• Review of patient records for infection status and case identities.

Main Results:

• Carpeted areas consistently showed higher microbial counts per square inch than bare floors.
• Higher recovery rates of Enterobacter spp., Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Escherichia coli from carpet samples.
• Patients in CR rooms were colonized with organisms found in the carpet; however, no significant differences in colonization or disease were found between CR and NCR patients.

Conclusions:

• Hospital carpets act as reservoirs for microorganisms, including pathogenic bacteria.
• While carpets harbor more microbes, direct association with patient colonization or disease was not statistically significant in this study.
• Air above carpeting demonstrated more consistent microbial concentrations than air above bare flooring.