A recent study suggests that even organized efforts to clean surfaces can fall short, a reminder for us all that keeping our surroundings clean may require some additional work.

A recent study suggests that even organized efforts to clean surfaces can fall short, a reminder for us all that keeping our surroundings clean may require some additional work.

For 5 ? weeks, researchers tagged surfaces of a small-animal veterinary practice daily with a fluorescent dye visible only under black light. They checked tagged surfaces 24 hours later to see if the marks were showing. Surfaces were considered cleaned if the dye was completely removed.

Results showed that overall, only half of all surfaces were adequately cleaned during the study period. Human-touch surfaces — such as medical instruments, dog run handles, and computer mice and keyboards — were cleaned less frequently than areas touched primarily by animals. The results were similar to studies from other veterinary clinics.

The researchers recommended creating checklists of surfaces that need to be regularly cleaned and educating all staff on the importance of proper cleaning to protect animal and human health.

«The concept of infectious diseases is around us all the time, but now it’s more important than ever to take steps to protect ourselves,» said senior study author Jason Stull, assistant professor of veterinary preventive medicine at The Ohio State University.

Story Source:
Materials provided by Ohio State University. Original written by Emily Caldwell. Note: Content may be edited for style and length.