Audit and feedback
dry abrasion, Infection, FM
INFECTION
The benefits and role of audit, including the use of fluorescent markers (FM), in assessing environmental cleaning, is well documented (7,13,14). Audit and feedback to the cleaning staff involved in the additional cleaning will include the use of FM technology, in which invisible gel dots that are removed by cleaning are applied to surfaces. The dots are invisible to the naked eye, resist dry abrasion, and are removed completely by routine cleaning. A structured auditing approach, with staff feedback underpinned by education, will aid improvements in cleaning, as shown in multiple studies (7,13,14). FM auditing of shared equipment will be conducted fortnightly in each ward.During the intervention phase, audit results will be reported verbally to the cleaning staff, with a follow-up email to cleaning supervisors and the Nursing Unit Managers. Audit results will be used to inform further informal face-to-face education and training. In discussing audit results, informal goals for the next audit will be set with the cleaners. Additional reports will be provided for internal committees, such as the Infection Prevention and Control committee at the conclusion of the study.