|
|
Removal/inactivation of norovirus from carpets and soft furnishings
|
| Add reply |
| On Nov 29 2005 7:39PM Jane.Dalling wrote: |
Does anyone know of any published, or in particular, unpublished research that investigates the efficacy in removal/inactivation of norovirus from carpets (and soft furnishings) by:
� Vacuum
� Shampoo
� Steam clean
� Fogging
� or antimicrobial cleaning solutions such as �Anti bak�.
This query has arisen after we recommended steam cleaning of carpets to a local care home with a norovirus outbreak. This was found to be impractical for the home as the company they approached reported that the steam cleaner weighs up to a tonne and could not get into small spaces and they were also concerned that it would leave the carpet wet and slippery for residents. They were quoted �6000 for an alternative antimicrobial solution. Our risk assessment was that this would not be justified as the outbreak was already coming to an end and that the home�s industrial shampoo system would probably be sufficient. However it is very difficult to advise when there is no evidence behind the recommendations. This would become more of a difficult issue had it been somewhere like a hotel where there is a constant turnover of people and increased risk of recurring outbreak that could have a substantial effect on the business.
Also, there is a suggestion in the PHLS (2000) guidelines �Management of hospital outbreaks of gastroenteritis due to SRSV� that vacuuming may increase the risk of transmission by re-circulating the virus and is therefore not recommended. Is anyone aware of any evidence for this and would people advise against vacuuming during an outbreak or would your risk assessment consider the increase in dust and potential for increase in MRSA to be a greater risk? Also, would steam cleaning (which is the current recommendation for carpets) be effective if dust and dirt is not removed by vacuuming first?
I would be very grateful for any thoughts on this as well as any details of published or unpublished evidence.
Many thanks
Jane Dalling
Senior Health Protection Nurse
|
|
| Add reply |
|
|
 ICNA Community Network MeetingPlease note the next Community ICNA meeting is on the, Wednesday 6th September 2006 and will be held at Eastman Dental Hospital, London.
To download the agenda go to the CICNN page under 'Business and Special Interest Groups' (Member access required)
... More
The 36th Annual Infection Control ConferenceSeptember 25th to 27th 2006
The Brighton Centre
Brighton, England
This is THE Infection control conference of the year, focusing on prevention and control of infections in all areas of healthcare. The conference will provide a mixture of lectures, debates, concurrent sessions, workshops and networking.
Leading international Speakers who have already confirmed include Dr Seto Wing Hong and Stuart Emslie.
To be kept up to date with br... More
|
