Terminal cleaning is the thorough cleaning of a room after use, used in healthcare environments to control the spread of infections.

Terminal cleaning
A man using a spray bottle to clean a hospital toilet
Non-flammable alcohol vapor in carbon dioxide systems being used as the final step in sanitizing a swing-out toilet in a hospital ER exam room

Justification

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Nosocomial infections claim approximately 90,000 lives in the United States annually. When patients are hospitalized and identified as having methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus or infections that can be spread to other patients, best practices isolate these patients in rooms that are subjected to terminal cleaning when the patient is discharged.[citation needed]

For example, terminal cleaning reduces the spread of C. difficile infections.[1]

Procedure

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Terminal cleaning requires cleaning the entire room after use by the patient.[2] Methods vary, but involve disinfection of all surfaces and discarding all disposable items and cleaning rags or towels as medical waste.[2]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Butler, M; Olson, A; Drekonja, D; Shaukat, A; Schwehr, N; Shippee, N; Wilt, TJ (March 2016). "Early Diagnosis, Prevention, and Treatment of Clostridium difficile: Update [Internet]". Health Services Research. PMID 27148613.
  2. ^ a b "Cleaning & disinfection". The Northern Ireland Regional Infection Prevention and Control Manual. Health and Social Care (Northern Ireland). Retrieved April 20, 2022.

Further reading

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