Top Facts About HAIs and MDROs

Cleanliness and sanitation are crucial factors in a healthcare facility to keep visitors, patients and employees safe. It is not enough to simply maintain a tidy and attractive healthcare environment; there is also a need to ensure that surfaces are kept clean and germ-free to prevent the spread of healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) and multiple-drug resistant organisms (MDROs).

At a time of a global health emergency, the importance of proper cleaning and disinfection in healthcare facilities couldn't be stressed enough. Read about HAIs and MDROs, how long they can live on surfaces and how they can be prevented from spreading inside your facility.

Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAIs)

Healthcare-associated infections, or HAIs, are infections that patients acquire at a healthcare facility while receiving treatment for something else. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that "about one in 31 hospital patients has at least one healthcare-associated infection" on any given day.

For immunocompromised patients, HAIs can be a serious danger. Patients are at risk for common HAIs, including:

• Central-line associated bloodstream infections (CLABSI)
• Clostridium difficile (also known as “C. diff”) infections
• Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MSRA) infections
• Pneumonia
• Surgical site infections
• Urinary tract infections

Multiple-Drug Resistant Organisms (MDROs)

Multiple-drug resistant organisms, or MDROs, are any type of bacteria that has become resistant to common antibiotics, making treatments not work or less effective. This makes them dangerous to hospital staff and patients.

How Are HAIs And MDROs Transmitted?

HAIs and MDROs can both be transmitted directly and indirectly. A surface touched by an infected person can be touched by others later, who are at risk of getting infected. Regular cleaning and disinfection are conducive to a healthy and safe facility.

How Long Do HAIs and MDROs Live On Surfaces?

• There is no certain answer as to how long HAIs and MDROs can live on surfaces. The CDC reports that an improperly cleaned and disinfected surface can still support bacteria growth for weeks. Until surfaces have been sanitized and disinfected thoroughly, individuals passing through the area are at risk of getting infected.
• Factors such as humidity, temperature and the hardness of the surface can determine how long bacteria, viruses and other pathogens could remain on that surface.

Preventing the Spread

• The simplest and most important way to prevent the spread of HAIs and MDROs is to wash your hands often. Hospital staff should also practice changing their gloves, gown and mask before attending to the next patient.
• Surface disinfection also helps control the spread of HAIs and MDROs. Those surfaces that are frequently touched and are close to patients must regularly be disinfected, including bed railings, bathroom surfaces, doorknobs, food trays and light switches.

Your staff can disinfect surfaces throughout the day, but it is also for your best interest to hire a professional cleaning team to perform comprehensive cleaning, sanitation and disinfection of your entire facility regularly.

Make a Cleaning Appointment With Our Team Today

If you need help properly disinfecting your healthcare facility, ServiceMaster Clean by LoveJoy of Atlanta has a 24/7-available reliable response a with live answering service to answer all your concerns. We service residential and commercial properties in Atlanta, Sandy Springs, Decatur, Stockbridge, Conyers, McDonough, Stone Mountain, Covington, Social Circle, and Dekalb County, Georgia and surrounding areas.

• We have a well-equipped professional team with modern equipment.
• Contact us at (678) 672-3222 to schedule an appointment.
• You may also send us a message online.
• We are located at: 700 Blacklawn Rd SWConyers, GA 30012 USA

Don't know what to do next? We do. Contact us today.