Cleaning patient shower facilities: a novel approach to reducing patient exposure to aerosolized Aspergillus species and other opportunistic molds

Clin Infect Dis. 2002 Oct 15;35(8):E86-8. doi: 10.1086/342305. Epub 2002 Sep 18.

Abstract

We previously have demonstrated that the hospital water-distribution system could be a reservoir for airborne molds that leads to secondary aerosolization of these molds in patient shower facilities. In this report, we show that cleaning the floors of patient shower facilities in a bone marrow transplantation unit reduced the mean air concentrations of molds, including Aspergillus species (from 12 cfu/m3 to 4 cfu/m3; P=.0047).

MeSH terms

  • Aspergillosis / microbiology
  • Aspergillosis / prevention & control*
  • Aspergillus*
  • Disinfection
  • Humans
  • Opportunistic Infections / microbiology
  • Opportunistic Infections / prevention & control*
  • Sanitation*
  • Water Microbiology
  • Water Supply