Conventional cleaning does little to eliminate the superbug MRSA (Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus) in hospital environments, according to a recent United Kingdom study published in the Journal of Hospital Infection. The study, conducted at a London hospital, found MRSA contamination in MRSA-infected patient rooms after the walls and the furniture had been cleaned. The disease survived on tables, bed frames, door handles and light switches.
But the potentially fatal bug was all but eliminated where cleaners used a new method of hydrogen-peroxide vapor decontamination. The 1,200-bed hospital says further studies are needed to show whether or not environmental MRSA has an effect on patients. Similarly, future studies are needed to determine if standard cleaning should be altered and to further test the new procedure.
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
I just read your intro for the March 2004 cover story (“Back to the Drawing Board”) and I couldn’t agree more that design does have a huge impact on housekeeping.
I am a facilities operator, but started out as a custodian. I don’t know how many times I said to myself if only they would have designed this building or this area or this something better, it would make my job easier and more efficient.
You hit a hot spot with this story. Great job!
Curtis Wybourn
General Casualty/Winterthur North America
Freeport, Ill.
I loved your article on the followers (“Taking the Lead of the Followers,” by John Walker, March 2004)! I couldn’t agree more. I have always felt the same way and practiced it often, but couldn’t have put it in better words than you.
I plan to print it out for all my staff as well and send it to some of our clients.
The International Sanitary Supply Association Inc. (ISSA) recently announced former U.S. President George Herbert Walker Bush as its keynote speaker for the ISSA/INTERCLEAN® 2004 convention and educational conference. The show will be Nov. 16-19 in New Orleans, La.
Bush, speaking two weeks after the election that could give his son, President George W. Bush another four years as the nation’s leader, will discuss current events and the U.S. political climate, as well as the issue of developing strong leadership in today’s business environment. The former president will address convention attendees Wed., Nov. 17 at 8:30 a.m. Attendees will be able to ask questions following his address.
The elder Bush held office between 1988 and 1992, following eight years serving as vice president under Ronald Reagan. He also held a series of high-level positions in the U.S. federal government. Since leaving office, Bush has written two books.
OSHA alliance focuses on building services workers’ safety
A new U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) alliance aims to protect building services employees from methylene chloride. Methylene chloride is a substance workers may be exposed to while cleaning marble and metal surfaces, stripping floors and degreasing equipment.
Methylene chloride has been cited for workplace fatalities and is regulated by an OSHA standard. It also is sold under other chemical names. OSHA points out that building services managers are responsible for approving chemicals used by building service contractors and in-house employees.
The alliance, which includes realty and labor management organizations, will focus on providing guidance and training for building services professionals upon request. The alliance also will offer safety information on electrocution and lead exposure for building services workers.
In the March 2004 issue, the International Sanitary Supply Association (ISSA) trade show dates and location were listed incorrectly in the calendar. The show will be held Nov. 16-19 in New Orleans.
In the January 2004 cover story, the total square feet University of Wisconsin-Madison custodians and lead workers clean was incorrect. The total is 10.8 million square feet.
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Clean Buildings Conference
