The document discusses the dangers of using conventional mops for wet mopping in hospitals and healthcare environments. It recommends using vacuum cleaners instead of wet mopping to avoid spreading infections. It provides guidelines for cleaning operating theaters and critical care areas, including keeping floors dry, cleaning with detergent and low-level disinfectants, and avoiding the use of a single wipe on multiple surfaces. Newer microfiber mopping techniques are presented as a safer alternative that can help reduce the spread of infections in hospitals.

1. STOP SPREADING INFECTIONS THROUGH MOPS IN
HOSPITALS
Dr.T.V.Rao MD
Using conventional loop mops for wet mopping of patient care areas has long been the standard in
floor cleaning for operations in hospitals. I was one among many in the world the dangers of wet
mopping in the operation theatres and health care environment, I wish many to read the general
management of operation theatres The principals general management published in Sterilization Of
Operating Theatres Published: 16th Dec 2013 in AMH Magazine was well accepted in many Institutes
and practiced in developing countries
General management instructions
For the sterilization and disinfection of operating theatres, and critical care areas, there are certain
protocols which should be followed. These include:
1. Keep the floor dry when in use.
2. Use only vacuum cleaners – booming to be forbidden as it will dispense the infected material all
around and on the equipment.
3. Chemical disinfection of an operation room floor is probably unnecessary. The bacteria carrying
particles already on the floor are unlikely to reach an open wound in sufficient numbers to cause an
infection. Cleaning alone followed by drying will considerably reduce bacterial population.
4. Walls and ceiling are rarely contaminated. The numbers of bacteria do not appear to increase
even if walls are not cleaned. Frequent cleaning is not necessary and has little influence on bacterial
counts. Routine disinfection is therefore unnecessary – only clean when dirty.
Cleaning the operating theatre
At the beginning of the day
1. Only remove the dust with a cloth wetted with clean water. Wipe theater furniture lamps, sitting
tables, trolley tops, operation tables, procedure tables, and Boyle’s apparatus.
Note: You need not use chemicals/disinfectants unless contaminated with blood or body fluids.
Between the procedures
Clean operating tables or contaminated surfaces with disinfectant solutions.
1. In case of spillages of blood/body fluids decontaminate with bleaching solution/chlorine solution
(10% available chlorine).
2. Discard all waste in plastic bags (do not accumulate around surgical sites).
3. Do not discard soiled linen and gowns on the operating theatre floor.
At the end of the day
1. Clean all the table tops, sinks, door handles with detergent followed by low level disinfectant.
2. Clean the floors with detergents mixed with warm water.

2. 3. Finally, mop with disinfectant like phenol in the concentration of one in ten (low concentrations of
phenol will not serve the purpose).
4. Keep the operating theatre dry for the next day's work.
HOW FLOOR IS TAKEN CARE
Many floor cleaners used in hospitals contain harsh chemicals such as quaternary ammonium
chlorides and butoxyethanol, which can be harmful to human health and the environment. To
reduce the risk of cross-contamination for patients, conventional mopping techniques require
janitors to change the cleaning solution after mopping every two or three room— meaning that
cleaning solutions (including both chemicals and several gallons of water) are constantly being
disposed of and replenished. Today real importance in spread of Infections continues with Mops we
use in the Health care areas and even house environment as a study by Cardiff University found that
the tissues are helping to spread deadly super bugs in NHS wards. A new study finds that detergent
wipes are spreading bugs in hospitals, as researchers warn that the wipes should not be used on
more than one surface
Researchers said that detergent wipes in the home could also be increasing the risk of infections, by
passing germs from one place to another.
They said the greatest risk was in bathrooms - especially if the same wipe was used on different
surfaces near sinks and lavatories. It means we should never wipe the same mops from unhygienic
areas
The majority of UK hospital infection control policies support the use of clinical detergent tissues to
clean wards, as Wet wipes could be spreading bacteria rather than killing it in homes and hospitals,
In “every instance” the wipes actually spread common and potentially deadly infections from one
surface to another, researchers said.
Professor Jean-Yves Maillard, lead author said: "This is the first report on the effectiveness of the
most used detergent wipes in hospitals and what we've found is that in all too many cases they are
not up to the job - with results showing huge variability."
All wipes tested repeatedly spread significant amounts of bacteria over three consecutive surfaces.
Professor Maillard said: "Our tests show that although the detergent wipes succeed in removing
super bugs, they immediately transfer them when the wipe is used on a different surface.
He said hospital staff should be trained not to use a single wipe on more than one surface, while
those cleaning their homes should heed the same advice.
However newer technologies are evolving for better safety of the operation theatres and health care
areas some facilities have begun using a new mopping technique involving microfiber materials to
clean floors. Microfibers are densely constructed, polyester and polyamide (nylon) fibers that are
approximately 1/16 the thickness of a human hair. The density of the material enables it to hold six
times its weight in water, making it more absorbent than a conventional, cotton loop mop. Also, the
positively charged microfibers attract dust (which has a negative charge), and the tiny fibers are able
to penetrate the microscopic surface pores of most flooring materials. These characteristics make
microfiber an effective mopping material; the following case study provides detailed information to
help your hospital evaluate the possibility of using microfiber mops

3. IN OUR HOSPITALS WE CAN CHANGE THE MOPS FREQUENTLY AND SHOULD BE KEPT DRY AS SAME
WET MOP TAKEN TO MANY PLACES TO WIPE WILL CAUSE SPREAD OF INFECTIONS ALL AROUND THE
AREAS THE MOP IS USED
Ref 1 Wet wipes could be spreading bacteria in homes and hospitals By Laura Donnelly, and agencies
The Telegraph
2 Sterilization of Operating Theatres by Dr.T.V.Rao MD Published: 16th Dec 2013 in AMH Magazine
3 Using Microfiber Mops in Hospitals Environmental Best Practices for Health Care Facilities |
November 2002 JCAHO Environment of Care Standards 1.3, 2.3, 4.0
Dr.T.V.Rao MD professor of Microbiology freelance writer
Can be contacted at email doctortvrao@gmail.com