The cleanliness of a hotel has always been an important evaluation criterion for potential customers when choosing which structure to stay in. With the spread of Covid-19 it became clear that cleaning hotel rooms alone is not enough to guarantee a reduction in the risk of infection, both for guests and for employees in accommodation facilities.  

This is why the need for sanitization also extends to hotel facilities: we at AMIL Care know it well, and for this reason, we think it is essential to explore together the important topic of hygiene in hospitality. 

Closed places and other risky environments

In closed places, the main risk is represented by the “bioaerosol”: what is it?  

These are very fine particles suspended in the air, which contain biological material, including toxins and microorganisms (such as bacteria and fungi). Bioaerosol particles can lead to infections and have harmful effects for operators and users. In addition to the particles dispersed in the air, the opportunities for contagion also depend on contact with surfaces: touching contaminated handles, linen, telephones. 

Another type of environment at risk is that of sanitary facilities (toilets, showers, and bathrooms, etc.). In fact, if these environments and their surfaces are not treated daily with suitable disinfectants, they can create infectious dangers. 

Finally, a further source of risk is represented by air conditioning systems. In addition to good practices, also the law (as described in the Ministerial Decree of 30 March 2005 “Working group for the treatment of air in confined spaces” and Official Gazette SG. n. 103 of 4 April 2000 “Guidelines for the prevention and control of legionellosis”) determines to carry out periodic treatments of the air filters and ducts with disinfectants suitable for removing the risk of Legionella Pneumophila. 

The origin of this infection is linked precisely to a hotel, the Bellevue Stratford in Philadelphia, where in 1976 over 200 participants in an American Legion rally were affected by the lung infection. It is from this circumstance that it took the name of Legionellosis or “Legionnaire’s disease”. In that case, the source of bacterial contamination was identified in the facility’s air conditioning system. 

Why is cleaning in the hotel not enough?

Cleaning is a preliminary and indispensable operation for the subsequent sanitization phases, but by itself it cannot guarantee the safety standards required in the world of hospitality. 

The hotel industry is particularly focused on providing a reliable and reassuring image in terms of hygiene and disinfection. To effectively reduce the risk of infection, it is essential to thoroughly sanitize all areas that may become contaminated with pathogenic microorganisms. This includes not only bedrooms and bathrooms, but also kitchens, pantries, and cold rooms. It’s also important not to overlook SPA areas, gyms, and beauty centers that may be present in some facilities. In these environments, high humidity can promote the growth and spread of parasites, as well as illnesses such as fungal infections, warts, influenza viruses, and other viral or bacterial agents, particularly in changing rooms and showers. 

What are pathogenic microorganisms?

The definition of pathogenic microorganisms is that of biological agents responsible for the onset of a disease in the host organism. Pathogens can give rise to various problems and infections. Here are the most common, which can be found in environments that are not adequately sanitized: 

Papillomavirus 

The Human Papilloma Virus causes skin warts, it is transmitted by contact with contaminated surfaces or with the skin. 

Hepatitis viruses 

Hepatitis A (HAV), B (HBV), C (HCV), D (HDV), and E (HEV) viruses have different modes of transmission depending on the cases, including oral/fecal, sexual, contact with infected blood, by eating or drinking contaminated food or water. 

Flu viruses 

Able to survive for a short time even on surfaces, influenza viruses spread by air, through aerosol particles. 

TBC 

Mycobacterium tuberculosis is Gram-positive and is spread by air. 

Adenoviruses 

These viruses, which are particularly resistant to chemical or physical changes in their environment, survive for long periods outside the body fluids, but can be eliminated by heat and the use of bleach. 

Meningococcus 

Bacterium responsible for bacterial meningitis, which can have serious consequences for the health of those who contract it. This bacterium is transmitted with contaminated bioaerosol coming from the nose and mouth of an infected person. 

Legionella 

Legionella is transmitted through the inhalation of bioaerosol contaminated by the Legionella Pneumophila bacterium. 

Measles virus 

One of the most contagious human viruses, contagion occurs via nasal and pharyngeal secretions released into the air when the infected person coughs or sneezes. 

Chickenpox (Herpes Zoster) 

Chickenpox is transmitted through contaminated bioaerosol or by direct contact with skin lesions. 

Scarlet Fever (Beta-Hemolytic Streptococcus) 

Unlike rubella and chickenpox, scarlet fever is the only one caused by bacteria, certain strains of group A beta-hemolytic streptococci. Transmission occurs through the respiratory tract by contact with the mucus or saliva of an infected patient, by coughing or simply by talking. 

Mumps (Paramyxovirus) 

This infection can be bacterial or viral, affecting the salivary glands. 

Rubella (Rubeo virus) 

It is a highly contagious respiratory tract infection, transmitted by airborne droplets. 

Escherichia Coli 

A Gram-negative bacterium of fecal origin, Escherichia Coli infection can come from contaminated water or food, as well as from person-to-person contact. 

HIV 

The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is a retrovirus that causes AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome), affecting the immune system. It is transmitted through blood, sexual contact, or infected needles. 

Skin infections (mycosis) 

The term mycosis indicates the condition in which pathogenic fungi overcome the resistance of the barriers of the human body (or animals) causing infections. Hot and humid environments favor the proliferation of fungi, which is why they are often present in swimming pools, changing rooms, showers, etc. 

Scabies 

A type of acariasis caused by a skin mite, it is transmitted by direct contact and, more rarely, indirectly (through clothing, towels, sheets). 

What to do to prevent infections in hotels?

It is good practice to take a number of preventive measures with the use of broad-spectrum biocidal disinfectants, either used directly on surfaces or sprayed in the environment. These practices become even more relevant if the premises have been used by a Covid-19 positive person, as reported in detail by the WHO provisions, which specify the concentrations of disinfectants and the importance of following a disinfection to thorough cleaning. 

To have pathogen-free environments, it is necessary to rely on replicable protocols, in which the effectiveness of the execution is independent of human intervention. 

AMIL Care solutions for the hotel sector 

To respond to the need to implement disinfection/sanitization protocols of different types, even outside the healthcare sector, AMIL Care has studied an automated system to guarantee the maintenance of the delivery conditions and their efficiency. 

AMIL Care’s solutions for hygiene in hospitality are valid not only for viruses, but also for the other problems listed above, which may affect accommodation facilities. 

Specifically, the hub versions of the Teknobios and Maxibios devices represent a concrete answer for the world of hospitality. These devices have features that make them particularly interesting for hotel facilities, such as providing room recognition via a unique IRED code. 

How do Teknobios and Maxibios work?  

The system consists of placing a wall sensor in each room of the facility. The sensor is programmed according to the characteristics of the room in which it is placed, so that the operator only has to bring the device into the room: once recognition has taken place, the device is autonomously ready for the room-specific cycle, without the operator having to intervene in the programming in any way. 

The devices are available in different variants, to satisfy various needs: Teknobios 2L is the trolley version of the range, an easily transportable and small-sized micro nebulizer (treatable volume from 10 to 2000 m3), while for larger volumes Maxibios is preferable, a device on wheels that covers from 10 to 10,000 m3. 

As for the chemical products to be used together with the devices, the offer includes Sanibios and Lytecare, both designed and produced by AMIL Care, which are effective for all problems affecting accommodation facilities. 

Sanibios chemical products have hydrogen peroxide as the active ingredient. H2O2, among the high-level disinfectants, boasts the best requirements, without being toxic or harmful to humans. 

Lytecare, on the other hand, has hypochlorous acid as its active ingredient. Research has clearly demonstrated that HOCl is safe and effective for the direct disinfection of food and food contact surfaces, ensuring that microbial counts are maintained below infectious levels on both food and food contact surfaces. it. It is therefore particularly valid for environments intended for cooking and food consumption. 

In addition to the solutions already present in its offer, AMIL Care carries out research processes to respond to sanitation needs, which are constantly evolving.