Hospital floors may be spreading germs more easily than believed

Germs can move quickly from floors to high-touch surfaces


A study in the American Journal of Infection Control found that dirty hospital floors more of an infection risk than previously thought.

Germs on healthcare facilities' floors can move quickly to high-touch surfaces and then to healthcare worker hands, according to an article on the Becker's Infection Control and Quality Control website.

Researchers found floors often were contaminated with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and VRE. Clostridium difficile was the pathogen most frequently found on floors.

Of the 100 occupied rooms surveyed, 41 percent had one or more high-touch item in contact with the floor.

Read the article.

 

 



March 10, 2017


Topic Area: Infection Control


Recent Posts

Regulations Take the Lead in Healthcare Restroom Design

Infection-control guidance and water management standards drive earlier planning, smarter fixtures and more resilient restroom environments.


AHN Allegheny Valley Hospital Opens Expanded Inpatient Rehabilitation Unit

Construction began in July 2025 and included 12 new inpatient rehabilitation beds, bringing the unit’s total to 29.


HSHS and Lifepoint Rehabilitation Partner on New Inpatient Rehab Hospital in Green Bay

The 40-bed hospital will be named the Hospital Sisters Health System | Rehabilitation Hospital.


Turning Facility Data Into ROI: Where Healthcare Leaders Should Start

Better data, smarter tools and small facility upgrades can drive measurable returns, guide ambulatory strategy and improve patient experience.


Sutter Health Breaks Ground on Advanced Cancer Center and Care Complex

The new center, located on Sutter’s Memorial Medical Center campus, will feature four stories and 165,000 square feet of modernized, patient-centered space.


 
 


FREE Newsletter Signup Form

News & Updates | Webcast Alerts
Building Technologies | & More!

 
 
 


All fields are required. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.