Extra cleaning of medical equipment could save hospitals money and improve patient safety

Embargoed until: Publicly released: 2025-04-11 01:00

Australia; NSW; VIC; QLD

Photo by gorden murah surabaya: https://www.pexels.com/photo/a-hospital-ward-7563452/

An extra three hours of cleaning a day focused on medical equipment such as wheelchairs, blood pressure monitors, infusion pumps, and commodes, could save hospitals money and improve patient safety, according to an Australian trial. The trial of over 5000 adults in 10 wards found that extra cleaning resulted in 30 fewer healthcare-associated infections and meant 384 fewer days in hospital beds that would be otherwise be taken up treating these healthcare–associated infections. There was also a $642 010 reduction in costs per 1000 patients, compared with the control group.

Attachments

Note: Not all attachments are visible to the general public. Research URLs will go live after the embargo ends.

Research JAMA, Web page Please link to the article in online versions of your report (the URL will go live after the embargo ends).

Journal/
conference: JAMA Network Open

Research:Paper

Organisation/s: Queensland University of Technology (QUT), Monash University, The University of Newcastle, Avondale University

Funder: This researchwas funded by a NHMRC grant awarded to Dr Mitchell, administered by Avondale University (GNT2008392). Clinell wipes for the purposes of the study were provided by GAMA Healthcare to the participating hospital, intended to supplement the additional wipes used. The NHMRC provided financial support for this study.

Media Contact/s

Contact details are only visible to registered journalists.