Efficiency evaluation of the cleaning and disinfection of surfaces in a primary health center

Abstract

Objective: to evaluate the effect of educatival interventions in the cleaning and disinfection of surfaces in a health center. Method: this is a prospective analytical study with a quantitative approach, carried out in a health center where two Estratégia Saúde da Família teams work. The surfaces chosen to be evaluated for their cleaning and disinfection were from: the dressing trolleys; reception desks; gynecological examination tables; patient stretchers; and nursing consultation tables. The monitoring methods used were: visual evaluation; counting of colony-forming units; and measurement of adenosine triphosphate. The Wilcoxon test and the Mann-Whitney test were used for the statistical analysis, considering a significance level of 5% or (p<0.05). Results: a total of 720 evaluations were performed at the end of all phases. In phase I, failure rates of 57.5%, 20.0%, and 90.0% were observed. After the educational intervention, the quantitative short-term disapprovals decreased to 0.0%, 2.5%, and 50.0% (data from phase III) and, in the long term, to 5.0%, 0.0%, and 65% (data from phase IV) for the visual, adenosine triphosphate, and culture methods, respectively. Visual inspection was the method that presented the highest frequency of disapproved surfaces in phases I and IV. Conclusion: the microbial load and the values of the adenosine triphosphate readings were reduced. Although this reduction was not statistically significant for all surfaces. The educational intervention was considered efficient.