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Appl Environ Microbiol. 1971 April; 21(4): 693-697
Copyright © 1971 American Society for Microbiology. All Rights Reserved.

Hospital Sanitation: the Massive Bacterial Contamination of the Wet Mop

Ottawa General Hospital and Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa 2, Ontario, Canada

ABSTRACT

Following the demonstration of massive spread of bacterial contamination throughout the hospital by the wet-mopping techniques in use, quantitative studies were undertaken to determine the source of contamination and to institute measures of control. It was found that mops, stored wet, supported bacterial growth to very high levels and could not be adequately decontaminated by chemical disinfection. Laundering and adequate drying provided effective decontamination, but build-up of bacterial counts occurred if mops were not changed daily or if disinfectant was omitted from the wash-water. Recommendations were based upon the experimental findings.