BACKGROUND Now that cleaning and decontamination are recognized as integral to infection control, it is timely to examine the process in more detail. This is because cleaning practices vary widely within healthcare districts, and it is likely that both time and energy are needlessly wasted with ill-defined duties. Furthermore, inadequate cleaning will not reduce the risk of infection but may even enhance it. The process would benefit from a systematic appraisal, with each component placed within an evidence-based and ordered protocol. METHODS A literary search was performed on 'hospital cleaning', focusing on manual aspects of cleaning, pathogen reservoirs and transmission, hand hygiene, staff responsibilities and patient comfort. RESULTS No articles providing an evidence-based practical approach to systematic cleaning in hospitals were identified. This review therefore proposes a simple four-step guide for daily cleaning of the occupied bed space. Step 1 (LOOK) describes a visual assessment of the area to be cleaned; Step 2 (PLAN) argues why the bed space needs preparation before cleaning; Step 3 (CLEAN) covers surface cleaning/decontamination; and Step 4 (DRY) is the final stage whereby surfaces are allowed to dry. CONCLUSION Given the lack of articles providing practical cleaning guidance, this review proposes a four-step protocol based on evidence if available, or justified where not. Each step is presented, discussed and risk-assessed. It is likely that a systematic cleaning process would reduce the risk of healthcare-associated infection for everyone, including outbreaks, in addition to heightened confidence in overall quality of care.

中文翻译：

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清洁医院的四个步骤：外观，计划，清洁和干燥。

背景技术现在已经认识到清洁和去污是感染控制不可或缺的，现在应该更详细地检查该过程了。这是因为在医疗保健区域内，清洁习惯的差异很大，并且不必要地浪费时间和精力来承担不确定的职责。此外，清洁不充分不会降低感染的风险，甚至可能会增加感染的风险。该过程将受益于系统的评估，每个组成部分都放在基于证据和有序的协议中。方法对“医院清洁”进行了一次文献检索，重点是清洁的手动方面，病原体的储存和传播，手部卫生，工作人员的责任和患者的舒适度。结果未发现提供循证实用方法对医院进行系统清洁的文章。因此，本次审查提出了一个简单的四步指南，用于每日清洁占用的床位。步骤1（LOOK）描述了对待清洁区域的视觉评估；步骤2（PLAN）讨论了为什么床空间需要在清洁前做好准备；步骤3（CLEAN）涵盖表面清洁/去污；步骤4（DRY）是使表面干燥的最后阶段。结论鉴于缺乏提供实用清洁指导的文章，因此，本综述基于证据（如果可用）或不合理的地方，提出了四步方案。提出，讨论和评估风险的每个步骤。系统的清洁程序可能会降低所有人的医疗保健相关感染风险，