Sustainable vs. Conventional Cleaning in Healthcare: Microbiological and Life Cycle Insights

This study investigates the environmental and microbiological effectiveness of two cleaning protocols—EVA (Ecological Visible Approach) and a traditional cleaning protocol—implemented in a healthcare setting. The cleaning procedures were conducted using specific equipment tailored to each protocol, with the EVA Protocol emphasizing sustainable practices. Microbiological evaluations assessed the effectiveness of each protocol in reducing microbial presence on various surfaces. The results demonstrated that the EVA Protocol not only met but often exceeded the microbiological standards achieved by the traditional protocol while significantly reducing the environmental footprint. The comparative Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) highlighted the EVA Protocol’s ability to lower CO2 emissions by 31.5% compared to the traditional protocol. This study underscores the potential benefits of adopting sustainable cleaning practices in healthcare settings, contributing to both environmental preservation and effective infection control.