Infection Prevention and Control Guide to Best Practices: Environmental Cleaning Prevention of Infections in All Health Care Facilities

Health care facilities contain a reservoir of infectious agents. Contamination of hospital equipment, medications, and water supplies by hospital pathogens is a well-known cause of epidemics. Maintaining safe, clean, and hygienic health care facilities and minimizing microbial contamination on surfaces, objects, and equipment are essential for reducing the risks of health-care-associated infections. The fundamental principles and requirements of basic cleaning and disinfection remain the same regardless the different types of patients, diseases, and medical interventions.