'Criminal' cleaning methods for hospitals, Mattress Cleaning

'Criminal' cleaning methods for hospitals - 22/05/2008

Hospital infections could soon be treated with a chemical used by forensic experts, new research has claimed.

According to a Dutch study, crime investigation chemical Luminol can detect trace amounts of infectious blood on hospital wards.

Ordinarily used to find blood traces at crime scenes, the chemical could be effectively put to use by commercial cleaners to detect blood on otherwise immaculate surfaces, reports Reuters.

The researchers claim that Luminol will help hospitals seek out possible transmission routes at source and ensure more thorough floor, carpet and mattress cleaning.

Meanwhile in the UK, Professor Peter Borriello has suggested that deep contract cleaning of hospitals is not the answer to the superbug crisis.

He told BBC Radio 4 that deep cleaning would not necessarily "have a major impact".