Register      Login
Microbiology Australia Microbiology Australia Society
Microbiology Australia, bringing Microbiologists together
RESEARCH ARTICLE

Surfaces and fomites as a source of healthcare-associated infections

Jen Kok
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations

Centre for Infectious Diseases and Microbiology Laboratory Services
Institute of Clinical Pathology and Medical Research
Marie Bashir Institute
Centre for Research Excellence in Critical Infections
University of Sydney, Westmead Hospital
Westmead, NSW, Australia
Tel: +61 2 9845 6255
Fax: +61 2 9893 8659
Email: jen.kok@swahs.health.nsw.gov.au

Microbiology Australia 35(1) 24-25 https://doi.org/10.1071/MA14007
Published: 17 February 2014

Abstract

Fomites are inanimate objects in the environment that can become contaminated with pathogenic microorganisms, facilitating their transfer from one patient or surface to another. Understanding how pathogens are spread in the environment and terminating the spread is important for controlling nosocomial outbreaks.


References

[1]  Turnidge, J.D. et al. (2009) Staphylococcus aureus bacteraemia: a major cause of mortality in Australia and New Zealand. Med. J. Aust. 191, 368–373.
| 19807625PubMed |

[2]  Boyce, J.M. (2007) Environmental contamination makes an important contribution to hospital infection. J. Hosp. Infect. 65, 50–54.
Environmental contamination makes an important contribution to hospital infection.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 17540242PubMed |

[3]  Barker, J. et al. (2001) Spread and prevention of some common virla infections in community facilities and domestic homes. J. Appl. Microbiol. 91, 7–21.
Spread and prevention of some common virla infections in community facilities and domestic homes.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:STN:280:DC%2BD3MzovV2rug%3D%3D&md5=6936e5b34726aad1f85a25421c60c269CAS | 11442709PubMed |

[4]  Boone, S.A. and Gerba, C.P. (2007) Significance of fomites in the spread of respiratory and enteric viral disease. Appl. Environ. Microbiol. 73, 1687–1696.
Significance of fomites in the spread of respiratory and enteric viral disease.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD2sXjs1ahtro%3D&md5=da968ed7f089348e0be5e503f6307466CAS | 17220247PubMed |

[5]  Chang, S. et al. (2010) Occurrence of skin and environmental contamination with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus before results of polymerase chain reaction at hospital admission become available. Infect. Control Hosp. Epidemiol. 31, 607–612.
Occurrence of skin and environmental contamination with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus before results of polymerase chain reaction at hospital admission become available.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 20397963PubMed |

[6]  Rampling, A. et al. (2001) Evidence that hospital hygiene is important in the control of methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus. J. Hosp. Infect. 49, 109–116.
Evidence that hospital hygiene is important in the control of methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:STN:280:DC%2BD3Mrit1aksg%3D%3D&md5=78991e99849880eea8b58727b4934bc2CAS | 11567555PubMed |

[7]  Dancer, S.J. (2009) The role of environmental cleaning in the control of hospital-acquired infection. J. Hosp. Infect. 73, 378–385.
The role of environmental cleaning in the control of hospital-acquired infection.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:STN:280:DC%2BD1MjmsFOqsQ%3D%3D&md5=5d01bc6a86afcfc2c1e96c47a18e493aCAS | 19726106PubMed |

[8]  Jain, R. et al. (2011) Veterans Affairs initiative to prevent methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus infections. N. Engl. J. Med. 364, 1419–1430.
Veterans Affairs initiative to prevent methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus infections.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BC3MXlsVGqur8%3D&md5=11bd87fbe34a566ff26ff0ed23c8ec7dCAS | 21488764PubMed |

[9]  White, L.F. et al. (2007) A microbiological evaluation of hospital cleaning methods. Int. J. Environ. Health Res. 17, 285–295.
A microbiological evaluation of hospital cleaning methods.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 17613092PubMed |

[10]  Hota, B. (2004) Contamination, disinfection, and cross-colonization: are hospital surfaces reservoirs for nosocomial infection? Clin. Infect. Dis. 39, 1182–1189.
Contamination, disinfection, and cross-colonization: are hospital surfaces reservoirs for nosocomial infection?Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 15486843PubMed |