Abstract
Background: Burn patients are susceptible to healthcare-associated infections. Contaminated surfaces play a role in microbial transmission. This study aimed to quantify the degree of contamination of burns theatre fomites during routine clinical use. Methods: The Patslide Patient Transfer Board (PAT slide) and operating table were investigated using two methods—bacterial swabs to culture viable organisms and adenosine triphosphate (ATP) swabs to measure biological material. Both items were sampled four times a day: before the first case, immediately after a case, immediately before the next case after cleaning and after the terminal clean. Results: Among 82 bacterial samples, four organisms were isolated, including Staphylococcus aureus, Enterobacter cloacae (E. cloacae) x2 and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P. aeruginosa), all from the PAT slide. The E. cloacae persisted after cleaning. In 9/82 swabs, the ATP count was >10 relative light units (RLU). In all cases where an organism was identified, the ATP count was >10 RLU. Hence the sensitivity and specificity of ATP > 10 RLU in detecting an organism were 100% and 94% respectively. Conclusions: Within burns theatres, there are instances of bacterial contamination on surfaces that persist despite cleaning. ATP luminometers as a point-of-care device may have a role in determining the cleanliness of surfaces, potentially minimizing onwards-bacterial transmission.
Highlights
Burn patients are susceptible to healthcare-associated infections
There were 41 distinct time intervals of sampling the operating theatre fomites; in instances there was only one case in theatre, swabs could not be collected after cleaning before the case
We find overall low levels of biological contamination and significant bacterial isolates on two burns operating theatre fomites which have significant contact with patients
Summary
Burn patients are susceptible to healthcare-associated infections. This is primarily due to a loss of skin integrity which acts as a barrier against micro-organisms [1].burns are associated with a dysregulation of the innate and adaptive immune responses, further predisposing these patients to infection [2]. Burn patients are susceptible to healthcare-associated infections. This is primarily due to a loss of skin integrity which acts as a barrier against micro-organisms [1]. Transfer Board (PAT slide) and operating table were investigated using two methods—bacterial swabs to culture viable organisms and adenosine triphosphate (ATP) swabs to measure biological material. Both items were sampled four times a day: before the first case, immediately after a case, immediately before the case after cleaning and after the terminal clean.
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