ATP measurement as an objective method to measure environmental contamination in 9 hospitals in the Dutch/Belgian border area

Andreas van Arkel*, Ina Willemsen, Linda Kilsdonk-Bode, Sindy Vlamings-Wagenaars, Anne van Oudheusden, Pascal De Waegemaeker, Isabel Leroux-Roels, Martine Verelst, Evelien Maas, Anita van Oosten, Patricia Willemse, Esther van Asselen, Ella Klomp-Berens, Karen Franssen, Elise Van Cauwenberg, Jan Kluytmans, i-4-1-Health Study Group, Lieke van Alphen, Christian Hoebe, Casper JaminPaul Savelkoul

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleAcademicpeer-review

Abstract

Background The objective of this study was to determine the level of environmental contamination in hospitals in the Dutch/Belgian border area, using ATP measurements. Design A cross-sectional observational survey. Methods Standardized ATP measurements were conducted in 9 hospitals on 32 hospital wards. Thirty pre-defined surfaces per hospital ward were measured with the 3 M Clean Trace NG luminometer. Results are displayed in relative light units (RLU). RLU > 1000 was considered as "not clean." Differences in RLU values were compared between countries, hospitals, fomite groups and medical specialties. Results A total of 960 ATP measurements were performed, ranging from 60 up to 120 per hospital. The median RLU-value was 568 (range: 3-277,586) and 37.7% of the measurements were rated as not clean (RLU > 1000). There were significant differences between countries, hospitals and fomite groups. Conclusion ATP measurements can be used as a more objective approach to determine the level of environmental contamination in hospitals. Significant differences in ATP levels were found between hospitals and between countries. Also, substantial differences were found between different fomite groups. These findings offer potential targets for improvement of cleanliness in healthcare facilities.

Original languageEnglish
Article number77
Number of pages8
JournalAntimicrobial Resistance and Infection Control
Volume9
Issue number1
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 28 May 2020

Keywords

  • ATP measurement
  • Fomite
  • Surface contamination
  • Cleaning
  • VANCOMYCIN-RESISTANT ENTEROCOCCUS
  • ACQUISITION

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