Table 1 The initial and second search string as applied in PubMed in September 2021

(“Acinetobacter“[tiab] OR “Norovirus“[tiab] OR “NoV“[tiab] OR “VRE“[tiab] OR “Vancomycin-resistant enterococc*“[tiab] OR “CPE[tiab]” OR “Carbapenemase-Producing Enterobacteral*“[tiab] OR “MRSA“[tiab] OR “methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus“[tiab] OR “ESBL“[tiab] OR “Extended spectrum beta-lactamase“[tiab] OR “Candida Auris“[tiab] OR “C. auris“[tiab] OR “clostridium difficile“[tiab] OR “C. Difficile“[tiab] OR “Ebolavirus“[tiab] OR “Lassa Virus“[tiab] OR “Marburgvirus“[tiab])

AND

(“VHP“[tiab] OR “vaporized hydrogen peroxide“[tiab] OR “HPV“[tiab] OR “hydrogen peroxide vapor“[tiab] OR “aHP“[tiab] OR “aerosolized hydrogen peroxide“[tiab] OR “hydrogen peroxide vapour“[tiab] OR “PX-UV“[tiab] OR “pulsed xenon UV“[tiab] OR “UV-C“[tiab] OR “ultraviolet C“[tiab] OR “no-touch disinfection”[tiab] OR “whole room disinfection”[tiab] OR “automated room disinfection”[tiab])

AND

1st search string

(“hospital” [tiab] OR “ward” [tiab] OR “care institution” [tiab] OR “emergency room” [tiab] OR “facility” [tiab] OR “clinic” [tiab] OR “medical centre” [tiab] OR “nursing home” [tiab] OR “insitution” [tiab] OR “health centre” [tiab] OR “infirmary” [tiab])

2nd search string

(“patient” [tiab] OR “patient room” [tiab])