Effective Sampling Strategies for Assessing Environmental Hygiene
Assessing environmental hygiene is crucial for maintaining a clean and safe environment in various settings, from public transportation to healthcare facilities. To ensure accurate and meaningful results, it is essential to create an effective sampling strategy that focuses on high-touch, high-risk areas and provides realistic feedback on the hygienic status of the test area. In this blog post, we will explore the key factors to consider when developing a sampling plan.
Identifying Sampling Spots
When selecting surfaces and areas to be monitored, prioritize locations where poor environmental hygiene poses a high risk of cross-contamination. In addition, sampling spots should be selected with the goal of providing realistic feedback on the hygienic status of the test area and be reflective of overall environmental cleanliness.
Before confirming the sampling spots with clients, it is important to create a list of sampling spots and take into consideration of the risk and impact based on the following factors:
Risk based on the nature of the area
Frequency of contacts
Passenger flow / Footfall
Proximity to high-risk areas
Ease of cleaning and condition of the surface
The significance of the hazard
The probability that the hazard will occur
Categorizing Sampling Spots by Risk and Nature of Contact
After creating a list of potential sampling spots, evaluate them based on their risk level. High-risk spots may include areas with a high number of people, high frequency of contact, or those that are important to public cleanliness perception. Surfaces made of difficult-to-clean materials, such as fabric, can also be categorized as high risk.
Medium-risk spots may include areas with limited user access or where people are likely to sanitize after contact. Categorize sampling spots based on the nature of contact:
Direct Contact: High-touch surfaces, areas with high population flow, or close proximity to risk areas, where bio-contamination risk is high
Non-Direct Contact: Surfaces near high-touch areas or those with indirect bare-hand contact, where bio-contamination risk is medium
Non-Touch: Areas with limited contact and low risk of bio-contamination
Timing and Frequency of Sampling
In the early stages of implementation, collect sufficient data sets to gain a true understanding of current cleaning capabilities. This data will allow for accurate trending and provide key stakeholders with evidence-based insights to make informed decisions regarding existing cleaning practices.
Ensure consistency in sampling times, especially for long-term comparisons. More information on interpreting results will be discussed in a separate post.
Additional Sampling Considerations
ATP devices may be sensitive to certain chemicals or detergents. Allow a 30 to 60-minute interval after cleaning before conducting the test.
Auditors should wear appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE).
Avoid providing advanced notification regarding the date, number, and locations of sampling spots.
Auditors should take pictures of each sampling location, the swab (as evidence of visual and wiping inspection), and the reading for record-keeping purposes.
Refrigerate or store all swabs/test kits at low temperatures before use.
ATP Sampling Procedures
Flat Surfaces:
Swab a representative 10cm x 10cm area of the surface to be tested.
Swab horizontally from one side to the other, then repeat vertically from top to bottom.
Return the swab to the device and activate the test by pressing down the handle into the tube.
Shake the test kit side to side for at least five seconds to ensure mixing of reagents. Do not shake the test kit up and down.
Read the test in the luminometer immediately after shaking.
Non-Flat Surfaces:
For accessible surfaces, such as the internal surface of a bowl, sample an equivalent 10x10 cm area.
If the surface is small, swab the entire area.
For areas like filling tubes, slightly twist the swab so the bud rotates around the internal surface as it moves in and out of the tube.
When sampling large surface areas, vary the test area to ensure results are representative of the entire area's cleaning efficiency.
Include difficult-to-clean areas in the sampling schedule to ensure consistent cleaning across all areas.
Developing an effective sampling strategy is essential for accurately assessing environmental hygiene in your facility. By considering factors such as risk level, contact frequency, and sampling procedures, you can create a comprehensive plan that provides actionable insights for improving cleaning practices and maintaining a safe, hygienic environment.
At Avalon Steritech, our team of experts can help you design and implement a customized sampling strategy tailored to your facility's unique needs. Contact us today to learn more about our environmental hygiene assessment services and how we can support your efforts to maintain a clean, safe environment for all.
