The role of cleaning and disinfection of the environment and the use of long-sleeved gowns to prevent nosocomial transmission of pandemic viruses: the ENVI-GO-PAN project

Introduction and objective National and international guidelines on SARS-CoV-2 recommend not only cleaning but also disinfecting surfaces in a patient room after a patient with COVID-19 has been discharged. The use of disinfectants is a measure to prevent infections. It also entails high costs, extra work and health risks for healthcare workers. In addition, potentially harmful substances end up in the environment. Wearing an isolation gown while caring for a COVID-19 patient is also recommended in the guidelines. The use of aprons leads to high costs, extra work and a lot of waste. The rationale for both measures is now 'better too much than too little', but with very little evidence. There is a need for more knowledge. The aim of the ENVI-GO-PAN project is to determine the role of cleaning and disinfection for patient room surfaces for SARS-CoV-2, but also for influenza (virus with the potential to cause a pandemic) and respiratory syncytial virus (important virus in the hospital). The added value of aprons during care for COVID-19 patients is also assessed. Plan of approach For the first objective, a national questionnaire is distributed, a systematic literature search is carried out and a laboratory study is carried out. For the second goal, the project will conduct a systematic literature review, a laboratory study and possibly also a study examining gowns used in patient care. The ENVI-GO-PAN project will provide evidence-based advice for the use of disinfectants for respiratory viruses and the use of gowns for COVID-19 patients. Because the project does not only look at the SARS-CoV-2 virus, the results will be important for a broader group of respiratory viruses and also in future pandemics.