High-touch surfaces: microbial neighbours at hand

• Type: Another Publication in an International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2017

Authors

cobrado, l (Author) FMUP; Silva Dias, A (Author) Other; Azevedo, MM (Author) Other; rodrigues, ag (Author) FMUP

Journal

Title: European Journal of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases

Vol. 36

Pages: 2053-2062

ISSN: 0934-9723

Publisher: Springer Nature

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 19 Citations

Scopus - 18 Citations

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-00M-WN3

DOI: 10.1007/s10096-017-3042-4

Abstract (EN): Despite considerable efforts, healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) continue to be globally responsible for serious morbidity, increased costs and prolonged length of stay. Among potentially preventable sources of microbial pathogens causing HAIs, patient care items and environmental surfaces frequently touched play an important role in the chain of transmission. Microorganisms contaminating such high-touch surfaces include Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, viruses, yeasts and parasites, with improved cleaning and disinfection effectively decreasing the rate of HAIs. Manual and automated surface cleaning strategies used in the control of infectious outbreaks are discussed and current trends concerning the prevention of contamination by the use of antimicrobial surfaces are taken into consideration in this manuscript.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 10