The role of the Hospital environment in the Staphylococcal infections

Abstract

Staphylococcus spp. are common causes of healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) that can be transmitted through various routes. The hospital environment can serve as a reservoir for these pathogens. This review examines the role of environmental contamination in the transmission of Staphylococcus spp. infections and how to prevent and control it. It describes the definition of the hospital environment and its potential sources of contamination, including surfaces, fomites, air, and water. It summarizes the evidence on the frequency and extent of environmental contamination by Staphylococcus spp., especially methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA), and its impact on HAIs. It also discusses strategies to reduce environmental contamination, such as cleaning, disinfection, hand hygiene, isolation precautions, and decolonization. It highlights the challenges and gaps in knowledge that need to be addressed to improve infection prevention and control practices. The review concludes that environmental contamination plays a significant role in the transmission of Staphylococcus spp. infection and that more research is needed to evaluate the effectiveness of interventions to reduce it.