Healthcare-associated infections represent a big problem in today's society, because they are a very important reason for morbidity and mortality of patients. Besides consistent washing and hand disinfection, it is also very important to keep the hospital environment clean, which can be achieved by using the appropriate cleaners and antimicrobial preparations. The purpose of my diploma work is to introduce the problem that is posed by healthcare-associated infections and the ways how to control and prevent them. Methods: In our diploma work, we used the descriptive method with the literature overview. Relevant scientific and professional articles were searched through the Science, Direct, Cinahl, Medline, and Pubmed databases. We used the articles published between 2008 and 2018 and the articles published in full text. We only used the articles older than 10 years if their topic was relevant. We also searched articles on the websites of Institute of Microbiology and Immunology and National Institute for Public Health as well as with Google Scholar search engine. The keywords that were used are healthcare-associated, multi-resistant microorganisms, disinfecting surfaces, and antibacterial coatings. In the research conducted at the Centre for the Blind, the Visually Impaired and the Elderly, we used the ATP quick method for the assessment of surface cleanliness. Results: Antimicrobial coatings are divided in terms of functionality into anti-adhesive (preventing the grip between bacteria and surface), contact active (inactivating bacterium upon contact while bound to the surface), and biocide-releasing substances (having high efficacy and also many disadvantages, toxicity, gradual inactivity, and the emergence of bacterial resistance). In the manufacture of antibacterial coatings, we most often encounter nanoparticles, silver, copper, UV technology, hydrogen peroxide, zinc peroxide, and titanium peroxide. A pilot study of surface cleanliness that was carried out showed that the antimicrobial coating used is more effective on plastic surfaces than on metal surfaces. Discussion and conclusion: A great progress is being made in detecting and developing antimicrobial coatings and refining them for maximum results. The contact active agents or the agents of combined functionalities proved to be the most useful. The advantage of such physical-acting coatings is that germs cannot develop resistance to them, as is usually the case with disinfectants. At the same time, a continuing education of healthcare staff and patients is required in strict compliance with hygiene regulations as well as hand washing and disinfection
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