The research highlights the importance of veterinary cleaning surveillance.

Researchers use fluorescent dye to inform cleaning practices

A study by researchers in the USA has highlighted a number of cleaning shortfalls in the small animal hospital setting.

Researchers at Ohio State University found that key surfaces in small animal veterinary hospitals are unlikely to be satisfactorily cleaned and put animal and human health at risk.

Writing in the Journal of Small Animal Practice (JSAP), scientists describe how they used a fluorescent dye to tag pre-determined surfaces in a large veterinary teaching hospital. The dye was only visible under ultraviolet light and could be removed by regular cleaning.  


Between June and July 2014, some 4,900 surfaces were tagged and assessed 24 hours after. Researchers found that 50 per cent of surfaces were cleaned well enough so that the tag was completely removed. However, they also found that cleaning varied widely by hospital location and surface.
 
Their study revealed that, of the surfaces with primarily human contact, the most frequently cleaned were the handle to the dog walking area and the equipment cart (100 per cent of the tag removed). In contrast, examination equipment - including the otoscope, ophthalmoscope and swivel light - were the cleaned the least (2.5 per cent).

On surfaces that had primarily animal contact, researchers found that the ward cage interior was the most frequently cleaned (89 per cent), while the dog run interior was cleaned less often (23.1 per cent). In terms of location, the radiology area was cleaned frequently (77.5 per cent), while the small animal treatment area was the least frequently cleaned (43 per cent).

Researchers note that the overall proportion of surfaces satisfactorily cleaned were similar to that reported in previous studies. However, the findings for some hospital areas and surfaces differed.

JSAP editor Nicholas Jeffery said the research highlights the importance of veterinary cleaning surveillance in individual practices so that they can implement targeted interventions.

“With health-care-associated infections being a persistent problem in human and veterinary medicine, it is important that surfaces and equipment within the veterinary practice are adequately cleaned," he explained.

“This research demonstrates the potential use of a commercial fluorescent dye for veterinary cleaning surveillance to inform hospital cleaning practices.”