definition for: #SurfacesMatter

ALL Environmental surfaces are a reservoir for microbial pathogens and healthcare associated infections (HAIs) like MRSA. "Clean does not mean microbially clean, or sterile!"

What most people do not understand about the environment is that there is an entire world of unseen microbes hiding on all surfaces. Bacteria, viruses, fungi and other microbial life can exist, at least for some time, on almost any surface known to humankind. Likewise, many of us do not realize that “clean does not necessarily mean microbial clean.” In other words, the cleaning and disinfection of surfaces has complex scientific nuances. One must understand the type of surface with respect to the proper choice of disinfectant. In the fight against infections, material compatibility is critically important. The healthcare environment uses any number of materials (e.g. plastics, vinyl, metals, etc.) for equipment, surfaces, and devices that are regularly cleaned with disinfectants. Harsh disinfectants may cause equipment damage, unnecessary costs, and contribute to poor clinical outcomes. We must work to develop standards, resources, and education to overcome key challenges in surface cleaning and disinfection. Our call to action must be a new paradigm on the upstream challenges (design and choice of surfaces) as well as the downstream options (cleaning and disinfection of surfaces) for overall patient safety and health.

Everyone in healthcare, environmental services, and those who plan for the use of surface materials need to step up their vigilance in preventing HAIs. We have reached a new era. One in which our great-grandparents and grandparents dealt. A post-antibiotic era is on our doorsteps if not walking through our door already. We still believe that it is an easy thing to “take an antibiotic” and everything will be fine. Ladies and gentlemen, I believe those days may be over. Truly, every #SurfaceMatters!