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Relation of the Inanimate Hospital Environment to Endemic Nosocomial Infection

List of authors.
  • Dennis G. Maki, M.D.,
  • Carla J. Alvarado, B.S.,
  • Carol A. Hassemer, B.S.,
  • and Mary Ann Zilz, R.N.

WHEREAS many epidemics of nosocomial infection have stemmed from reservoirs of pathogens in the inanimate hospital environment,1 , 2 the contribution of the environment, particularly air, surfaces, and fomites, to the acquisition and spread of endemic nosocomial infection is unclear, and the value of routine microbiologic surveillance of the inanimate hospital environment has been controversial.3 4 5 6 7 8 In 1974 the Committee on Infections within Hospitals of the American Hospital Association concluded:The occurrence of nosocomial infection has not been related to levels of microbial contamination of air, surfaces, and fomites . . . meaningful standards for permissible levels of such contamination do not exist . . .

Funding and Disclosures

Presented in part at the 20th Interscience Conference on Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy, New Orleans, La., September 22 to 24, 1980.

Author Affiliations

From the Section of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, and the Infection Control Department, University of Wisconsin Hospital and Clinics, Clinical Sciences Center, University of Wisconsin, Madison. Address reprint requests to Dr. Maki at the Section of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, University of Wisconsin Hospital, 600 Highland Ave., Madison, WI 53792.

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