Abstract
To evaluate the effectiveness of automated room decontamination devices, a common aerosolized hydrogen peroxide (aHP) as well as a recent gaseous ozone-based device, which produces the disinfectant reagent without the need of consumables, were tested under real-life conditions. Twenty-two contaminated surfaces were positioned in different areas in a patient room with adjacent bathroom and anteroom. Following the decontamination process bacteria were recovered and reduction factors were calculated after performing quantitative culture. Following the manufactures instructions, the ozone-based device displayed a bactericidal effect (log10 > 5), whereas the aHP system failed for a high bacterial burden and achieves only a complete elimination of a realistic bioburden (log10 2). After increasing the exposure time to 30 min, the aHP device also reached a bactericidal effect. Nevertheless, our results indicate, that further research and development is necessary, to get knowledge about toxicity, efficacy and safety by using in complex hospital conditions and achieve meaningful integration in cleaning procedures, to reach positive effects on disinfection performance.
Highlights
Pathogens associated with common nosocomial infections like methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus, vancomycin-resistant enterococci or Clostridioides difficile can survive on dry surfaces for several weeks to month [1]
This recognition is supported by recent studies, which pointed out an increased risk of acquiring these pathogens with possible subsequent healthcare associated infections, if prior room occupants had already been infected [9,10,11,12]
Dried E. faecium was picked up by touching the PCS with one finger covered with a sterile cotton glove after moistening on Columbia Agar with Sheep Blood (COLS+, OXOID Deutschland GmbH, Wesel, Germany) and bacteria were transferred to another sterile ceramic tile to produce the secondary contaminated surface (SCS)
Summary
Pathogens associated with common nosocomial infections like methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus, vancomycin-resistant enterococci or Clostridioides difficile can survive on dry surfaces for several weeks to month [1] These pathogens are often detected in patient’s environment, if patients are colonized or infected [2,3,4,5]. Contaminated surfaces might be an important source for transmission and acquisition of healthcare associated pathogens [5,6,7,8] This recognition is supported by recent studies, which pointed out an increased risk of acquiring these pathogens with possible subsequent healthcare associated infections, if prior room occupants had already been infected [9,10,11,12].
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
