Cleaning and disinfection in neonatal intensive care units: correlation of evaluation methods

Abstract

ABSTRACT Objectives: to correlate surface cleaning and disinfection monitoring methods in two neonatal intensive care units and compare threshold values for adenosine triphosphate. Methods: a correlational study with 864 assessments was conducted using adenosine triphosphate quantification, visual inspection, aerobic colony count, Staphylococcus aureus detection, and resistance testing before and after hygiene procedures. Results: in Unit A, correlations were found between colony count and Staphylococcus aureus on the counter (phase I; P=0.031) and between adenosine triphosphate and colony count in the incubator (phase II; P=0.001). In Unit B, a correlation was observed between adenosine triphosphate and colony count on the infusion pump (phase I; P=0.045). Threshold values for adenosine triphosphate were lower than 28 relative light units in Unit A and equal to or lower than 38 in Unit B. Conclusions: variations were observed in the correlations and threshold values for adenosine triphosphate between the analyzed units.

Keywords

• Equipment Contamination
• Disinfection
• Adenosine Triphosphate
• Infection Control
• Cross Infection