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Limiting the Spread of Infection in Health Care Environments

Mary G. Lankford, Susan Collins, Larry Youngberg, Denise M. Rooney, John R. Warren, Gary A. Noskin
The Center for Health Design CHER Research Committee, April 2007

Executive Summary

A study of 14 common building materials and finishes in the healthcare environment.  Inoculation of common harmful organisms is followed by rigorous testing in the laboratory to determine the ability of each material to sustain and propagate these organisms.

The results of Limiting the Spread of Infection in Healthcare Environments confirms previous empirical findings that resistant organisms are capable of prolonged survival, selection and proper use of cleaning materials are essential for disinfection, and rigorous hand washing by health care providers is key to avoiding cross transmission of organisms.

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