biostudies-literatureLeistner RBundesministerium für Bildung und ForschungBill and Melinda Gates FoundationFederal Ministry of Education and Research Berlin Office101958https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC10113752biostudies-literatureUnknown59<h4>Background</h4>The impact of environmental hygiene on the occurrence of hospital-acquired infections (HAIs) remains a subject of debate. We determined the effect of three different surface-cleaning strategies on the incidence of HAIs.<h4>Methods</h4>Between June 2017 and August 2018 we conducted a pragmatic, cluster-randomized controlled crossover trial at 18 non-ICU wards in the university hospital of Berlin, Germany. Surfaces in patient rooms on the study wards were routinely cleaned using one of three agents: Soap-based (reference), disinfectant and probiotic. Each strategy was used on each ward for four consecutive months (4m-4m-4m). There was a one-month wash-in period at the beginning of the study and after each change in strategy. The order of strategies used was randomized for EClinicalMedicineEnvironmental cleaning to prevent hospital-acquired infections on non-intensive care units: a pragmatic, single-centre, cluster randomized controlled, crossover trial comparing soap-based, disinfection and probiotic cleaning.PMC1011375203Z0818CKARMIN – 03Z0818CINV-004308Lemke EZakonsky GLeistner RBrodzinski AKohlmorgen BSchwab FGastmeier PfalseEnvironmental cleaning to prevent hospital-acquired infections on non-intensive care units: a pragmatic, single-centre, cluster randomized controlled, crossover trial comparing soap-based, disinfection and probiotic cleaning.<h4>Background</h4>The impact of environmental hygiene on the occurrence of hospital-acquired infections (HAIs) remains a subject of debate. We determined the effect of three different surface-cleaning strategies on the incidence of HAIs.<h4>Methods</h4>Between June 2017 and August 2018 we conducted a pragmatic, cluster-randomized controlled crossover trial at 18 non-ICU wards in the university hospital of Berlin, Germany. Surfaces in patient rooms on the study wards were routinely cleaned using one of three agents: Soap-based (reference), disinfectant and probiotic. Each strategy was used on each ward for four consecutive months (4m-4m-4m). There was a one-month wash-in period at the beginning of the study and after each change in strategy. The order of strategies used was randomized for 2023-01-01T00:00:00Z2023 May2026-04-12T19:22:10.573Z2025-04-05T20:03:33.632ZS-EPMC101137523708961910.1016/j.eclinm.2023.101958