Effectiveness of Manual Terminal Cleaning Varies on High-Touch Surfaces Near the Operative Field

BACKGROUND: Periprosthetic joint infection may result from pathogen to patient transmission within the environment. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the contamination level of selected high-touch surfaces in the operating room (OR) using a blacklight fluorescent marking system after a manual terminal clean. METHODS: Prior to the manual terminal clean, 16 high-touch surfaces were marked using a blacklight fluorescent gel. The marked areas were assessed the next morning for thoroughness of cleaning. Surfaces were categorized based on the average percent of the marks removed as “clean” (>75%), “partially clean” (26%-74%), or poorly cleaned (<25%). This process was repeated randomly 12 times. Terminal cleaning was done in the standard fashion, and the perioperative team was unaware of the initiation of this study. RESULTS: A total of 936 marks were analyzed. There was a significant difference in the number of marks completely clean (29.1%, 272/936) vs marks that were not touched (40.8%, 382/936), P < .001. Only the OR back table (75%) had a rating of clean. Partially clean areas included Mayfield table (72%), overhead lights (70.1%), infusion pump (61.1%), clock reset button (58.3%), table remote control (50%), tourniquet machine (50%), and the OR table (33.3%). Poorly cleaned surfaces included anesthesia medication cart (21.8%), door handles (20.8%), phone (16.7%), electrocautery unit (16.7%), foot pedal (16.7%), anesthesia cart (16.2%), nurses’ station (14.1%), and supply cabinet doors (6%). CONCLUSIONS: Effectiveness of manual terminal cleaning varied greatly across surfaces. In general, surfaces further from the operative field were less likely to have markings removed.