Despite decades of advances in cleaning, sterilisation, and clinical protocols, healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) remain a persistent challenge. While significant progress has been made in controlling surface and instrument-related risks, increasing attention is now being given to the role of the built environment itself, where infrastructure systems such as water, air, and drainage operate continuously and may act as sources of microbial contamination. Here, Jørn Terkelsen, founder and CEO of Dolphin Care, looks at whether infection prevention strategies are addressing all relevant pathways of contamination within clinical environments.
In many healthcare settings, responsibility for infection prevention is divided between clinical teams and estates or facilities departments. While this reflects organisational structure, it may also create gaps in how environmental risks are addressed.
Clinical teams focus on patient-facing interventions such as cleaning, disinfection, and aseptic technique. Meanwhile, infrastructure systems, including ventilation, water systems, and drainage, are often managed with a focus on performance and compliance, rather than microbiological impact.
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