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. 2017 Jan;60(1):131-140.
doi: 10.1002/ajim.22671. Epub 2016 Nov 15.

Determinants of disinfectant use among nurses in U.S. healthcare facilities

Orianne Dumas  1   2 , Aleta S Wiley  3 , Paul K Henneberger  4 , Frank E Speizer  3 , Jan-Paul Zock  5   6   7 , Raphaëlle Varraso  1   2 , Nicole Le Moual  1   2 , Krislyn M Boggs  3 , Carlos A Camargo Jr  3   8
Affiliations

Determinants of disinfectant use among nurses in U.S. healthcare facilities

Orianne Dumas et al. Am J Ind Med. 2017 Jan.

Abstract

Background: Disinfectant use among healthcare workers has been associated with respiratory disorders, especially asthma. We aimed to describe disinfectants used by U.S. nurses, and to investigate qualitative and quantitative differences according to workplace characteristics and region.

Methods: Disinfectant use was assessed by questionnaire in 8,851 nurses. Hospital characteristics were obtained from the American Hospital Association database.

Results: Working in a hospital was associated with higher disinfectant use (OR: 2.06 [95%CI: 1.89-2.24]), but lower spray use (0.74 [0.66-0.82]). Nurses working in smaller hospitals (<50 beds vs. ≥200 beds) were more likely to use disinfectants (1.69 [1.23-2.32]) and sprays (1.69 [1.20-2.38]). Spray use was lower in the West than in the Northeast (0.75 [0.58-0.97]).

Conclusion: Disinfectant use was more common among nurses working in smaller hospitals, possibly because they perform more diverse tasks. Variations in spray use by hospital size and region suggest additional targets for future efforts to prevent occupational asthma. Am. J. Ind. Med. 60:131-140, 2017. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Keywords: cleaning products; disinfectants; healthcare workers; hospital; occupational asthma.

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Conflict of interest statement

statement: All the authors declare they have no conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1. Flow chart of study population
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

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