Wille I, et al. - A cross sectional point prevalence survey was planned to assess the degree of patients’ close and distant environmental contamination including healthcare workers’ (HCWs) hands with nosocomial pathogens under real life situations and to investigate potential transmission events. Despite cleaning and disinfection, there appeared a widespread contamination of the intensive care unit (ICU) environment with clinically relevant pathogens, including multidrug-resistant microorganisms. The bioburden might not be restricted to the patients’ close environment. Further studies were recommended to assess the role of an extended environmental disinfection of patients’ distant zones to improve infection prevention.