Implementation of Cleaning Process for Mobile Patient Equipment

Abstract

Background Mobile patient equipment (MPE) such as Dynamap machines (i.e., blood pressure monitoring devices, thermometer and pulse-oximeter), ultrasound machines, electrocardiogram (EKG) bladder scanners and language line translator phones may be significant fomites for the transfer of infections between patients in acute care settings. Baseline adenosine triphosphate (ATP) data from a Level 1 Trauma Center suggested that MPE are not cleaned regularly between patients. The objective of this quality improvement project was to implement a standardized, effective cleaning process for MPE and monitor success of implementation through the use of ATP monitoring and real-time data feedback.Methods A detailed cleaning process and schedule was developed MPE. Education was provided to staff on between use cleaning and an extensive cleaning process to be performed once daily. Cleanliness of MPE was tested through weekly ATP monitoring and the results were provided to floor educators and managers. Median ATP and passing rate were assessed. ATP pass/fail cut-off was set according to manufacturer’s recommendations. Passing ATP level was <250 relative light units (RLU), intermediate level was 250–500 RLU and failing level was >500 RLU.ResultsThe overall median ATP level of all MPE decreased from 755 RLU (N = 102) to 236 RLU (N = 425) 16 weeks post-intervention (Figure 1). The pass rate increased from 19.6% to 52.0%. The blood pressure cuff ATP level demonstrated a 78% decrease from 969.5 RLU (N = 12) to 219 RLU (N = 84). The pulse-ox ATP level also decreased by 78% from 1884 RLU (N = 9) to 407 RLU (N = 86) post-intervention. An 84% reduction in ATP level was identified in the language line translator phone (1,284 RLU to 198 RLU).Conclusion Sixteen weeks post-implementation of this quality improvement project demonstrated that patient equipment is consistently being cleaned and the ATP levels are being maintained at a low level. Future directions include broadening the type of equipment that are assessed through ATP, expanding this project to outpatient settings and exploring the sustainability in the absence of ATP data feedback. The improvement of the cleanliness of the equipment potentially has the impact of decreasing infections throughout the hospital.Disclosures All authors: No reported disclosures.