Jordan Ellis
The soles of healthcare workers' shoes have been epidemiologically linked to pathogens and infections in patients. This has sparked discussions about the importance of cleaning and disinfecting shoes to reduce the spread of harmful bacteria and infections. While the outside of shoes is a concern, the inside can also be a breeding ground for bacteria and fungi due to sweat. Various methods and products are available for shoe sanitation, including ultraviolet radiation exposure machines, disinfectant solutions, and shoe sanitizing stations. Additionally, proper maintenance of nursing shoes through cleaning and disinfection can help extend their lifespan and provide comfort during long shifts.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Importance of cleaning shoes | To prevent the spread of pathogens and infections to patients, families, and oneself |
| Methods of cleaning shoes | Disinfectant sprays or wipes, ultraviolet radiation exposure (UVC) machines, baking soda and vinegar, StinkBOSS, washing machine, HealthySole Plus |
| Shoe types and their cleaning methods | Nursing clogs made with EVA materials: disinfectant wipes; Fabric or thin leather upper: washing machine; Thick leather or synthetic plastic-like material: disinfectant wipes |
| Other practices to prevent the spread of germs | Environmental cleaning, correct use of personal protective equipment |
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What You'll Learn
The importance of clean shoes in hospitals
Clean shoes are of utmost importance in hospitals to prevent the spread of infections and maintain a safe environment for patients, healthcare workers, and visitors. Healthcare workers' shoes can collect and spread pathogens, including harmful bacteria and fungi, to patients and their families. A study published in the Journal of Hospital Infection found that the shoe soles of healthcare workers at a Swiss tertiary care centre possibly contributed to the spread of Clostridioides difficile, a life-threatening, diarrhoea-causing pathogen.
Maintaining clean shoes is essential to break this chain of infection. Shoe sanitising stations, such as the HealthySole® PLUS, utilise UVC germicidal light to kill up to 99.99% of pathogens on shoe soles. This method is quick, effective, and safe, requiring users to stand on a platform for just eight seconds. Hospitals that have implemented this strategy have successfully reduced the spread of COVID-19 and other infectious diseases.
Additionally, healthcare workers can practice routine shoe cleaning and disinfection at home. Disinfectant sprays or wipes can be used, ensuring that the product is suitable for the shoe material and following the manufacturer's instructions. For example, disinfectant solutions with 3% hydrogen peroxide can be used with baking soda to create an effective disinfectant. Baking soda and vinegar can also be used to slow fungal growth, and ultraviolet sanitiser boxes can be employed to kill bacteria and viruses.
Furthermore, proper shoe care and maintenance are crucial. Different shoe materials require specific care methods, such as wiping down clogs made with EVA materials or washing fabric or thin leather shoes in the washing machine. Leather shoes, in particular, require regular moisturising to prevent cracking. By taking care of their shoes, healthcare workers can ensure their longevity and maintain a professional appearance.
In conclusion, clean shoes are vital in hospitals to prevent the spread of pathogens and maintain a safe and hygienic environment. By utilising shoe sanitising stations and practicing regular shoe cleaning and disinfection, healthcare workers can play a crucial role in infection control and ensure the well-being of themselves, their patients, and the wider community.
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Methods for cleaning shoes
Healthcare workers' shoes can collect and spread pathogens to patients and their families. A 2022 study linked pathogens on healthcare workers' shoes with infections in patients, suggesting that workers' shoe soles may be a potential mode of transmission for harmful bacteria. Therefore, it is important to clean and disinfect shoes.
Using UVC machines:
UVC machines, such as the HealthySole Plus, use UVC exposure to destroy 99.99% of pathogens on healthcare professionals' shoe soles. The device looks like a standing scale, where you place your feet on a platform for eight seconds. It is self-cleaning and shatter-resistant.
Disinfectant sprays or wipes:
Use disinfectant sprays or wipes to wipe down your shoes after each shift. Ensure you use a new wipe for each shoe and allow the disinfectant to sit for as long as the instructions require.
Baking soda and vinegar:
While this method does not kill all viruses, it can slow fungal growth. Sprinkle baking soda inside and outside your shoes, then spray with white vinegar. Let the mixture sit for 12 hours before removing the baking soda.
StinkBOSS:
This is a plug-in device that uses ozone to kill bacteria and viruses. It also uses mild heat to dry sweaty shoes. Simply place your shoes inside, press the button, and set the timer.
Ultraviolet sanitizer box:
An ultraviolet sanitizer box uses UVC light to kill bacteria and viruses. These products are smaller than those used in hospitals and may only fit one shoe at a time.
Manual cleaning:
For manual cleaning, you can use a mild detergent or soap, water, and a soft-bristled brush or cloth. First, remove any loose dirt or dust with a brush or cloth. Then, mix a small amount of mild detergent or soap with water and apply the solution to the brush or cloth. Gently scrub the shoes, taking care not to damage the material. Finally, use a dry cloth to absorb any remaining moisture and let the shoes air dry completely.
Additional tips:
- For leather shoes, use a dry brush and a mild dish soap solution. You can also use a household cleaning eraser or leather conditioner to remove stains.
- For suede shoes, use a suede brush or towel to wipe away surface debris, working in the same direction as the material. Use suede rubber or a pencil eraser to remove any marks on the surface.
- For knit shoes, create a mild soapy water solution without harsh chemicals and use a brush or toothbrush to rub the solution in the same direction as the knit. Rinse with a clean cloth and let air dry.
- For white sneakers, do not use bleach as it can create a yellow tint. Instead, use a mixture of baking soda and water to create a cleaning paste.
- For shoe liners, use a damp cloth dipped in a solution of mild detergent and water, followed by a 50:50 vinegar-water rinse. Allow the shoes to air dry for at least 24 hours before wearing them.
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The use of shoe sanitizing stations
Shoe sanitizing stations are designed to address this issue by decontaminating footwear before individuals walk around medical facilities. These stations use a combination of UV-C and ozone-generating technology to eliminate dangerous bacteria and prevent their spread. UV-C radiation, the highest portion of the UV radiation spectrum, is highly effective at killing 99.9% of microbes on shoes. Meanwhile, ozone generators use O3 to reduce airborne contaminants by attaching molecules to them and eliminating them.
The use of these stations is not limited to healthcare settings. They are also essential in food service environments, where they help maintain hygiene and prevent cross-contamination, thus supporting high food safety standards. Stations such as the D2 Sanitizers offer wet and dry sanitizing options and are equipped with stainless steel handles and components for durability and ease of cleaning.
When implementing shoe sanitizing stations, it is important to consider foot traffic and the stations' proximity to entrance and exit points. In hospitals, tabletop sanitizers are commonly used in sitting areas or at the front desk, while wall-mounted sanitizers are more space-efficient and can be installed in various locations, such as outside elevators or in hallways.
Overall, shoe sanitizing stations play a crucial role in maintaining a clean and safe environment, especially in healthcare and food service industries, by targeting the often-overlooked source of contamination—our footwear.
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The impact of dirty shoes on patients
Dirty shoes can have a significant impact on patients in hospitals. Healthcare workers' shoes can collect and spread pathogens to patients, as evidenced by a 2022 study that linked pathogens on healthcare workers' shoes with infections in patients. This suggests that shoe soles may be a potential mode of transmission for harmful bacteria and germs, such as clostridioides difficile, which can cause life-threatening diarrhea and colitis.
The soles of shoes can pick up various bacteria from different places, including restroom floors and animal feces. When these shoes are then worn inside a hospital, they can spread the bacteria to patients, families, and other surfaces. This can lead to healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) or hospital-acquired infections (HCAIs), which affect nearly 1.7 million patients annually. While hand sanitizing stations are a common measure to prevent the spread of pathogens, they do not address the bacteria on a person's shoes.
To reduce the impact of dirty shoes on patients, hospitals can implement shoe sanitizing stations, which use UV-C and ozone-generating technology to disinfect shoes. Additionally, healthcare workers can practice routine cleaning and disinfecting of their shoes, using disinfectant sprays or wipes, or devices such as StinkBOSS, which eliminates bacteria and odors. Some hospitals have also started using ultraviolet radiation exposure (UVC) machines, such as HealthySole Plus, which can destroy 99.9% of pathogens on shoe soles in just eight seconds.
By implementing these measures, hospitals can reduce the spread of bacteria and pathogens, protecting patients from potential infections and improving their overall health outcomes. It is important for both healthcare workers and visitors to be mindful of the potential impact of their shoes on patient safety and take the necessary steps to ensure proper footwear hygiene.
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The impact of dirty shoes on healthcare workers
Healthcare workers often work long shifts, with some working 12-hour shifts. This means that they spend a lot of time on their feet, and having a good pair of shoes is essential for their comfort and health. However, the downside of this is that their shoes can get very dirty.
Nursing shoes, in particular, can get extremely dirty and are often a breeding ground for bacteria and fungus due to the large number of sweat glands in the feet. This can lead to shoe odour and, more importantly, the spread of pathogens to patients, families, and even themselves. A study published in the Journal of Hospital Infection found that the shoe soles of healthcare workers at a university tertiary care centre in Switzerland possibly aided in the spreading of Clostridioides difficile, a diarrhoea-and-colitis-causing germ that can be life-threatening. Another study in 2022 also linked pathogens on healthcare workers' shoes with infections in patients, suggesting that their shoe soles may be a potential mode of transmission for harmful bacteria.
Dirty shoes can also impact the health of the healthcare workers themselves. Wearing dirty shoes for long shifts can lead to sore feet, aching legs, and throbbing lower backs. Additionally, dirty shoes can harbour bacteria and viruses that can be challenging to remove without proper cleaning and disinfection.
To mitigate these issues, healthcare workers should routinely clean and disinfect their shoes. While this can be time-consuming, it is essential to reduce the spread of pathogens. Some simple methods for disinfecting shoes include using disinfectant sprays or wipes, baking soda and vinegar solutions, or ultraviolet sanitizing boxes. Healthcare facilities can also invest in shoe sanitizing stations, such as the HealthySole® PLUS, which uses UVC exposure to kill 99.99% of pathogens on shoe soles.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, cleaning shoes is important for hospital workers to reduce the spread of pathogens and infections to themselves, their patients, and their families.
Hospital workers can clean their shoes using disinfectant sprays or wipes. They can also use machines such as the HealthySole Plus, which uses UVC exposure to kill 99.99% of pathogens on shoe soles.
Hospital workers should routinely clean and disinfect their shoes. This can be done after each shift or whenever the shoes are visibly dirty.
