STOP SPREADING INFECTIONS THROUGH MOPS IN

HOSPITALS

Dr.T.V.Rao MD

Using conventional loop mops for wet mopping of patient care areas has long been the standard in

floor cleaning for operations in hospitals. I was one among many in the world the dangers of wet

mopping in the operation theatres and health care environment, I wish many to read the general

management of operation theatres The principals general management published in Sterilization Of

Operating Theatres Published: 16th Dec 2013 in AMH Magazine was well accepted in many Institutes

and practiced in developing countries

General management instructions

For the sterilization and disinfection of operating theatres, and critical care areas, there are certain

protocols which should be followed. These include:

1. Keep the floor dry when in use.

2. Use only vacuum cleaners – booming to be forbidden as it will dispense the infected material all

around and on the equipment.

3. Chemical disinfection of an operation room floor is probably unnecessary. The bacteria carrying

particles already on the floor are unlikely to reach an open wound in sufficient numbers to cause an

infection. Cleaning alone followed by drying will considerably reduce bacterial population.

4. Walls and ceiling are rarely contaminated. The numbers of bacteria do not appear to increase

even if walls are not cleaned. Frequent cleaning is not necessary and has little influence on bacterial

counts. Routine disinfection is therefore unnecessary – only clean when dirty.

Cleaning the operating theatre

At the beginning of the day

1. Only remove the dust with a cloth wetted with clean water. Wipe theater furniture lamps, sitting

tables, trolley tops, operation tables, procedure tables, and Boyle’s apparatus.

Note: You need not use chemicals/disinfectants unless contaminated with blood or body fluids.

Between the procedures

Clean operating tables or contaminated surfaces with disinfectant solutions.

1. In case of spillages of blood/body fluids decontaminate with bleaching solution/chlorine solution

(10% available chlorine).

2. Discard all waste in plastic bags (do not accumulate around surgical sites).

3. Do not discard soiled linen and gowns on the operating theatre floor.

At the end of the day

1. Clean all the table tops, sinks, door handles with detergent followed by low level disinfectant.

2. Clean the floors with detergents mixed with warm water.

3. Finally, mop with disinfectant like phenol in the concentration of one in ten (low concentrations of

phenol will not serve the purpose).

4. Keep the operating theatre dry for the next day's work.

HOW FLOOR IS TAKEN CARE

Many floor cleaners used in hospitals contain harsh chemicals such as quaternary ammonium

chlorides and butoxyethanol, which can be harmful to human health and the environment. To

reduce the risk of cross-contamination for patients, conventional mopping techniques require

janitors to change the cleaning solution after mopping every two or three room— meaning that

cleaning solutions (including both chemicals and several gallons of water) are constantly being

disposed of and replenished. Today real importance in spread of Infections continues with Mops we

use in the Health care areas and even house environment as a study by Cardiff University found that

the tissues are helping to spread deadly super bugs in NHS wards. A new study finds that detergent

wipes are spreading bugs in hospitals, as researchers warn that the wipes should not be used on

more than one surface

Researchers said that detergent wipes in the home could also be increasing the risk of infections, by

passing germs from one place to another.

They said the greatest risk was in bathrooms - especially if the same wipe was used on different

surfaces near sinks and lavatories. It means we should never wipe the same mops from unhygienic

areas

The majority of UK hospital infection control policies support the use of clinical detergent tissues to

clean wards, as Wet wipes could be spreading bacteria rather than killing it in homes and hospitals,

In “every instance” the wipes actually spread common and potentially deadly infections from one

surface to another, researchers said.

Professor Jean-Yves Maillard, lead author said: "This is the first report on the effectiveness of the

most used detergent wipes in hospitals and what we've found is that in all too many cases they are

not up to the job - with results showing huge variability."

All wipes tested repeatedly spread significant amounts of bacteria over three consecutive surfaces.

Professor Maillard said: "Our tests show that although the detergent wipes succeed in removing

super bugs, they immediately transfer them when the wipe is used on a different surface.

He said hospital staff should be trained not to use a single wipe on more than one surface, while

those cleaning their homes should heed the same advice.

However newer technologies are evolving for better safety of the operation theatres and health care

areas some facilities have begun using a new mopping technique involving microfiber materials to

clean floors. Microfibers are densely constructed, polyester and polyamide (nylon) fibers that are

approximately 1/16 the thickness of a human hair. The density of the material enables it to hold six

times its weight in water, making it more absorbent than a conventional, cotton loop mop. Also, the

positively charged microfibers attract dust (which has a negative charge), and the tiny fibers are able

to penetrate the microscopic surface pores of most flooring materials. These characteristics make

microfiber an effective mopping material; the following case study provides detailed information to

help your hospital evaluate the possibility of using microfiber mops

IN OUR HOSPITALS WE CAN CHANGE THE MOPS FREQUENTLY AND SHOULD BE KEPT DRY AS SAME

WET MOP TAKEN TO MANY PLACES TO WIPE WILL CAUSE SPREAD OF INFECTIONS ALL AROUND THE

AREAS THE MOP IS USED

Ref 1 Wet wipes could be spreading bacteria in homes and hospitals By Laura Donnelly, and agencies

The Telegraph

2 Sterilization of Operating Theatres by Dr.T.V.Rao MD Published: 16th Dec 2013 in AMH Magazine

3 Using Microfiber Mops in Hospitals Environmental Best Practices for Health Care Facilities |

November 2002 JCAHO Environment of Care Standards 1.3, 2.3, 4.0

Dr.T.V.Rao MD professor of Microbiology freelance writer

Can be contacted at email doctortvrao@gmail.com