“Deep Cleaning” Reduces MRSA Threat

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A recent study found that deep cleaning intensive care units reduced methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infection among patients exposed to a prior occupant with MRSA by 2.4 percent.

The three-part deep cleaning process includes using a bucket immersion rather than bottle immersion for applying disinfectants to cleaning clothes, training environmental services staff to adapt new cleaning methods, and using UV lights to inspect potentially infected areas. The study was reported by United Press International and included evaluations of more than 13,000 hospital stays in 10 Boston intensive care units.

In another study of nursing homes, researchers confirmed that educating patients and staff about MRSA and improved cleaning processes are effective methods for combating the bacteria.

The study by Queen’s University in Belfast and Antrim Area Hospital found that one quarter of nursing home residents carry MRSA, according to Infection Control Today. According to the study, published in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, in addition to one-in-four residents, 7 percent of nursing home workers were also carrying the bacteria.

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