Abstract
Prevention of healthcare-associated infections is an important part of providing nursing care. High-touch objects and surfaces that can be contaminated with various bacteria are matters of concern. The possibility of reducing contamination is the use of antibacterial and hydrophobic nanolayers. The aim of this study was to determine, by means of an experimental method, the microbial efficacy of applied antibacterial and hydrophobic nanolayers on high-touch objects and surfaces used in nursing practice in a regional hospital in the Czech Republic. The results show that the antibacterial efficacy of the applied nanolayer was not demonstrated. Furthermore, the results show that selected objects and surfaces can always be contaminated by bacterial agents in about 1/3 of cases. It is mainly contamination with nonpathogenic bacteria; however, the presence of pathogenic bacteria, such as Staphylococcus aureus, has also been detected. The results of this study pinpoint the importance of following the basic rules for the use of decontaminated objects and surfaces used to provide healthcare.
Highlights
Healthcare-associated infections are still a current problem and, according to the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development, they are among the most common adverse events in provision of healthcare services [1,2]
Prevention of healthcare-associated infections is an essential part of providing healthcare and nursing care
Some research states that some antibacterial copper surfaces may be effective in preventing healthcare-associated infections
Summary
Healthcare-associated infections are still a current problem and, according to the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development, they are among the most common adverse events in provision of healthcare services [1,2]. Healthcare-associated infections significantly affect patient mortality and morbidity, including increased financial costs of healthcare [3]. According to the European Parliament, an average of 1 in 20 patients acquire healthcare-associated infection every day in the European Union, i.e., 4.1 million patients and 37,000 patients die from healthcare-associated infections. In many cases, healthcareassociated infections can be effectively prevented using evidence that can reduce the incidence of these infections. One of the basic components of prevention is the observance of basic hygienic-epidemiological principles, including the decontamination of objects and surfaces intended for re-use [5]
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