Surface disinfection: should we do it?

The effective use of disinfectants constitutes an important factor in preve nting hospital-acquired infections. Surfaces are considered non-critical it ems as they come in contact with intact skin. Use of non-critical items or contact with non-critical surfaces carries little risk of transmitting a pa thogen to patients. Thus, the routine use of disinfectants to disinfect hos pital floors and other non-critical items is controversial. However, surfac es may potentially contribute to cross-transmission by acquisition of trans ient hand carriage by health care personnel due to contact with a contamina ted surface or by patient contact with contaminated surfaces or medical equ ipment. This paper reviews the epidemiological and microbiological data reg arding the use of disinfectants on non-critical surfaces, It concludes that while noncritical surfaces are uncommonly associated with transmission of infections to patients, one should clean and disinfect surfaces on a regula rly scheduled basis. (C) 2001 The Hospital Infection Society.