Comparison of fluorescent marker systems with 2 quantitative methods of assessing terminal cleaning practices.

Objective: To compare fluorescent markers with aerobic colony counts (ACCs) and an adenosine triphosphate (ATP) bioluminescence assay system for assessing terminal cleaning practices.

Design: A prospective observational survey.

Setting: A 500-bed university-affiliated community teaching hospital.

Cleanliness of portable medical equipment disinfected by nursing staff.

Increased attention has been focused on disinfection by housekeepers, but few data are available on disinfection of equipment by nurses. We used adenosine triphosphate bioluminescence assays and aerobic cultures to assess the cleanliness of portable medical equipment disinfected by nurses between each patient use. We found that the equipment was not being disinfected as per protocol and that education and feedback to nursing are warranted to improve disinfection of medical equipment.