Evaluation of an alcohol-based power sanitizing system for decontamination of hospital rooms of patients with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus carriage.

A power sanitizing system that delivers a sanitizing mist of alcohol, rendered nonflammable by a carbon dioxide carrier, and a low concentration of quaternary ammonium compound, was easy to use, provided thorough coverage of surfaces, and significantly reduced vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus contamination on commonly touched hospital surfaces. However, it was not as consistently effective for elimination of pathogens as 10% bleach solution.