Cholera Hides in Biofilm
"The germ that causes cholera (Vibrio cholerae) forms a biofilm that enables it to survive in the presence of chlorine in concentrations 1000 to 2000% higher than that found in chlorinated drinking water."
Allen Rathey
Reference: Stanford University
by Frank Wiley
ICM is a systems-approach to cleaning that incorporates measurement as a cornerstone of the process. A key to any improvement initiative is the ability to measure. As Alvin Toffler noted, measurement (and the information it provides) creates a power shift. It puts power back into the hands of users, who will now be able to separate fact from fiction, and accurately document performance. Custodians will no longer depend solely on the recommendations of manufacturers or even industry gurus; measurement will give them the data they need to prove if systems, products, processes or even ‘expert advice’ truly live up to marketing and other claims.
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Topics: Schools | Healthcare | Restaurants | Commercial Buildings | Cleaning Measurement | IEQ Measurement | Healthby Jim Holland
Infrared cameras are sometimes called IR or thermal imaging cameras. Prices have dropped considerably in recent months, putting thermal imaging technology within the financial reach of many more cleaning operations.
Because of its advantages, eventually, most everyone in the cleaning and restoration business will be using this technology as frequently as we use moisture meters. So, let’s go over a few things that might help you decide what’s best for you.
by Frank Wiley
ICM is a systems-approach to cleaning that incorporates measurement as a cornerstone of the process. A key to any improvement initiative is the ability to measure. As Alvin Toffler noted, measurement (and the information it provides) creates a power shift. It puts power back into the hands of users, who will now be able to separate fact from fiction, and accurately document performance. Custodians will no longer depend solely on the recommendations of manufacturers or even industry gurus; measurement will give them the data they need to prove if systems, products, processes or even ‘expert advice’ truly live up to marketing and other claims.
0 CommentsTopics: Schools | Healthcare | Restaurants | Commercial Buildings | Cleaning Measurement | IEQ Measurement | Healthby American Journal of Infection Control
Abstract
Background
A survey of cleaning effectiveness was conducted in two wards in four acute hospitals in England and Wales. Surfaces were monitored immediately before and after cleaning on three separate occasions using visual assessment, adenosine triphosphate (ATP) bioluminescence, expressed in relative light units (RLUs), and microbiological methods (aerobic colony counts [ACC]), expressed in colony forming units (cfu) per cm2.
Methods
Comparison of data from a total of over 3000 assessments showed highly significant differences in failure rates [areas considered to be unclean] between visual assessment and either ATP or microbiological counts. There was no significant difference in failure rates between ATP and microbiological counts. Using visual assessment, failure rates were significantly lower after cleaning than before. Using ATP or microbiological methods, failure rates were not significantly different after cleaning.
Results
Data obtained using both ATP and ACC, indicated considerable variability after cleaning and that failed surfaces were often well in excess of benchmark values.
Conclusions
Cumulatively, the results indicate that visual assessment is not a reliable indicator of surface cleanliness or of cleaning efficacy. Concerns also arise about the standards of surface cleanliness achieved after cleaning in the hospitals.
Address correspondence to Rose A. Cooper, School of Health Sciences, University of Wales Institute, Llandaff Campus, Western Avenue, Cardiff CF5 2YB Wales, United Kingdom.
American Journal of Infection Control
Volume 35, Issue 5, June 2007, Pages 338-341
Rose A. Cooper PhD, Chris J. Griffith PhD, Rifhat E. Malik BSc, Peter Obee MSc and Nick Looker PhD, MSc, FRCPath
Copyright © 2007 Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology, Inc.
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