The microbiome of an outpatient rehabilitation clinic and predictors of contamination: A pilot study.

Background: Understanding sources of microbial contamination in outpatient rehabilitation (REHAB) clinics is important to patients and healthcare providers.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to characterize the microbiome of an outpatient REHAB clinic and examine relationships between clinic factors and contamination.

Methods: Forty commonly contacted surfaces in an outpatient REHAB clinic were observed for frequency of contact and swiped using environmental sample collection kits.