Surface decontamination effectiveness at the “Université des Montagnes” Teaching Hospital: Monitoring in the biomedical analysis laboratory

Many infections in healthcare facilities are associated with the microbiological quality of the work environment, generally due to poor sanitation. In order to evaluate the effectiveness of a decontamination protocol (cleaning + disinfection) applied at the “Université des Montagnes” Teaching Hospital, the present study assessed the variation of bacterial loads on surfaces subsequent to decontamination. Susceptibility of bacteria to disinfectants was also evaluated in the same frame. This work was conducted with an adjusted bacterial detection/enumeration and susceptibility test protocols and standard bacterial identification protocols. Sampling on surfaces was performed by wet swabbing before cleaning, between cleaning and disinfection and after disinfection. Major findings revealed the predominance of Staphylococcus (75.5%) on target surfaces. High bacterial loads recorded on these surfaces before decontamination became undetectable after cleaning with the detergent “Pax lemon”. The majority of isolates (98%) were susceptible to the disinfectants tested, (Surfanios® 0.25% and sodium hypochlorite 0.12%). Overall, these findings indicated process effectiveness on the subjected bacterial populations and suggest the use of either Surfanios® (0.25%) or sodium hypochlorite (0.12%) for work surfaces hygiene, justifying the use of these products in this department for surface decontamination. Also, cleaning with the detergent “Pax lemon” and disinfection with sodium hypochlorite may be sufficient for the types of surfaces subjected in the present research. •Staphylococcus could be used as a biomarker of environmental microbial contamination.•Cleaning have a great impact during decontamination in reduction of bacterial load.•Disinfectant susceptibility tests contribute to decontamination assessment.•Decontamination can be effective with small resources in limited-resources settings.•Detection limits of protocols using swab to monitor decontamination are still high.