Via CBC News: Superbugs found in hotel rooms tested by Marketplace. Marketplace is a consumer-affairs program on CBC television. The investigators found C. difficile and MRSA in each of the rooms they tested. Excerpt:
In Marketplace’s test, Warriner examined 810 “high-touch” surfaces in rooms at EconoLodge, Super 8, Best Western, Holiday Inn, Fairmont and Sheraton rooms in Vancouver, Toronto and Montreal.
Using an ultraviolet flashlight and an adenosine triphosphate (ATP) meter that measures microbial contamination, Warriner found the worst bacterial hot spots in the hotel rooms.
Comforters proved the dirtiest, while faucets, remote controls, bed throws, bathroom sinks and toilet bases were the most commonly contaminated spots. Hidden cameras in the rooms also captured maids using cleaning techniques that would actually help spread bacteria.
One camera captured a maid using a toilet brush to clean a sink, and another using same rag to wipe a toilet seat, then a faucet.
“[They’re] just transferring contamination all over the place,” Warriner said. “You can see why [contamination] is rampant,” he added. “It's literally just like spreading everything everywhere.”The Dirt on Hotels will be broadcast tonight, Friday, at 8:00 pm local time (8:30 in Newfoundland).
