The new 2003 recommendations break down clinical surfaces into housekeeping surfaces (floors, walls, sinks, and surfaces not generally touched during patient care) and clinical contact surfaces (surfaces potentially contaminated and capable of harboring pathogens and transmitting infection upon contact to patients or dental workers). The Guidelines state, “Strategies for cleaning and disinfecting surfaces in patient-care areas should consider the potential for direct patient contact, degree and frequency of hand contact, and potential contamination of the surface with body substances or environmental sources of microorganisms
(e.g., soil, dust, or water).”
