Importance of environmental decontamination a critical view.

The authors maintain that the level of evidence supporting different disinfection and cleaning procedures performed in healthcare settings worldwide is low. The final assessment of whether use of disinfectants rather than detergents alone reduces nosocomial infection rates in different clinical settings still awaits conclusive study. The decontamination ability of the substances used; prevention of resistance; and safety for patients, personnel and the environment; are the cornerstones that interact with each other. The authors conclude that targeted disinfection of environmental surfaces (those frequently touched) is an established component of infection control activities to prevent the spread of nosocomial pathogens, but of lesser importance than proper hand hygiene. Journal of Hospital Infection 2007;65(Suppl 2):55-7.