Inanimate Surfaces as a Source of Hospital Infections Caused by Fungi, Bacteria and Viruses with Particular Emphasis on SARS-CoV-2

Agata Jabłońska-Trypuć, Marcin Makuła, Maria Włodarczyk-Makuła, Elżbieta Wołejko, Urszula Wydro, Lluis Serra-Majem and Józefa Wiater
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Agata Jabłońska-Trypuć: Department of Chemistry, Biology and Biotechnology, Faculty of Civil Engineering and Environmental Sciences, Bialystok University of Technology, Wiejska 45E Street, 15-351 Białystok, Poland
Marcin Makuła: Faculty of Medical Sciences in Zabrze, Medical University of Silesia, Traugutta sq.2, 41-800 Zabrze, Poland
Maria Włodarczyk-Makuła: Faculty of Infrastructure and Environment, Częstochowa University of Technology, 69 Dabrowskiego Str., 42-201 Częstochowa, Poland
Elżbieta Wołejko: Department of Chemistry, Biology and Biotechnology, Faculty of Civil Engineering and Environmental Sciences, Bialystok University of Technology, Wiejska 45E Street, 15-351 Białystok, Poland
Urszula Wydro: Department of Chemistry, Biology and Biotechnology, Faculty of Civil Engineering and Environmental Sciences, Bialystok University of Technology, Wiejska 45E Street, 15-351 Białystok, Poland
Lluis Serra-Majem: Research Institute of Biomedical and Health Sciences, University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, 35001 Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain
Józefa Wiater: Department of Agri-Food Engineering and Environmental Management, Faculty of Civil Engineering and Environmental Sciences, Bialystok University of Technology, Wiejska 45E Street, 15-351 Białystok, Poland

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 19, issue 13, 1-22

Abstract: The carriers of nosocomial infections are the hands of medical personnel and inanimate surfaces. Both hands and surfaces may be contaminated as a result of contact with the patient, their body fluids, and touching contaminated surfaces in the patient’s surroundings. Visually clean inanimate surfaces are an important source of pathogens. Microorganisms have properties thanks to which they can survive in unfavorable conditions, from a few days to several months. Bacteria, viruses and fungi are able to transmit from inanimate surfaces to the skin of the patient and the medical staff. These pathogens include SARS-CoV-2, which can survive on various types of inanimate surfaces, being a potential source of infection. By following the recommendations related to washing and disinfecting hands and surfaces, and using appropriate washing and disinfecting agents with a broad biocidal spectrum, high material compatibility and the shortest duration of action, we contribute to breaking the chain of nosocomial infections.

Keywords: nosocomial infections; inanimate surfaces; virus; bacteria; fungi; SARS-CoV-2 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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