significantly lower CFU counts (P<0.05, Table 1) for almost all locations in single-occupancy rooms and bathrooms compared to the old hospital building, but not for ICU rooms and for rooms with an anteroom (Table 1). After relocating patients, we observed an overall buildup in CFU counts during the first three months to a median of 0.47 CFU per cm2, and fluctuating CFU counts after this moment (Figure 2). The CFU counts in the new building were equal to or surpassed the median number of CFU counts in the old building within nine months for single-occupancy rooms, within 18 months for ICU rooms, within one month for rooms with anteroom, and within three months for bathrooms (Table 1). For the single-occupancy rooms, we observed significantly lower CFU counts (P<0.05, Table 1) six months after relocating for all locations, while we observed significantly higher CFU counts (P<0.05, Table 1) nine months after relocating. For the bathrooms, we noticed significantly lower CFU counts up to one month after relocation (Table 1). For the ICU rooms, the sink did not reach the same median number of CFU counts as in the old building, and we observed significantly lower CFU counts for the sink throughout the three year follow-up period (Table 1). At the two sampling moments during the COVID-19 pandemic (May 2020 and May 2021), we observed significantly lower CFU counts (P<0.05, Table 1) in singleoccupancy rooms, but not in other room types (Figure 2, Table 1). Figure 2. Overall median CFU count per cm2 determined over time in the new hospital building and the CFU count per cm2 determined in the old hospital building one month before relocating as a reference. Orange line; CFU count in the new hospital building before relocating patients. Blue line; CFU count in the new hospital building after relocating patients. Grey line; CFU count observed one month before relocating patients in the old building, as reference value. 3 155 Environmental contamination with MDRO in single-occupancy rooms
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