Real-World Effectiveness of Disinfection Protocols in Reducing SARS-Cov-۲ RNA Contamination on Hospital Surfaces: A Case Study from a Warm and Arid Region in Southwestern Iran

Introduction: Hospital surfaces may contribute to SARS-CoV-۲ transmission; however, the real-world effectiveness of disinfectants is unclear. This study evaluated routine disinfection protocols using ۰.۵% sodium hypochlorite and ۷۰% ethanol to reduce SARS-CoV-۲ RNA contamination on high-touch hospital surfaces. Methods: A total of ۱۵۲ surface samples were collected from five high-touch surface categories (door handles, bed rails, computer keyboards, toilet door handles, and toilet faucets) before and after disinfection in a hospital in southwestern Iran (September ۲۰۲۰ -February ۲۰۲۱). SARS-CoV-۲ RNA was detected using RT-qPCR targeting RdRp and N genes. Reduction percentages were calculated using McNemar's test. Results: Overall, RNA was detected in ۴۱/۷۶ samples (۵۳.۹%) before versus ۵/۷۶ (۶.۶%) after disinfection (۸۷.۸% reduction, p<۰.۰۰۱). Sodium hypochlorite reduced contamination from ۴۷.۴% to ۷.۹% (۸۳.۳% reduction), while ethanol reduced from ۶۰.۵% to ۵.۳% (۹۱.۳% reduction). Complete RNA reduction (۱۰۰%) was achieved on door handles, keyboards, and toilet surfaces, with no detectable RNA after disinfection. Residual RNA was observed on bed rails in both groups (۲۰.۰% with hypochlorite, ۱۰.۰% with ethanol), accounting for ۶۰% of post-disinfection positives. Toilet faucets showed residual RNA only with hypochlorite (۱۴.۳%), while toilet door handles only with ethanol (۱۴.۳%). All reductions were significant (p<۰.۰۵). Conclusion: Both disinfectants effectively reduced SARS-CoV-۲ RNA under the operational conditions evaluated, with no claim of superiority for either agent. However, bed rails remain a persistent hotspot despite routine disinfection, highlighting the need for enhanced protocols and targeted monitoring.

کلیدواژه ها:

SARS-CoV-۲ ، Disinfection ، Sodium Hypochlorite ، Ethanol ، Infection Control.