Abstract
Infections and infectious diseases are considered a major challenge to human health in healthcare units worldwide. This opinion paper was initiated by EU COST Action network AMiCI (AntiMicrobial Coating Innovations) and focuses on scientific information essential for weighing the risks and benefits of antimicrobial surfaces in healthcare settings. Particular attention is drawn on nanomaterial-based antimicrobial surfaces in frequently-touched areas in healthcare settings and the potential of these nano-enabled coatings to induce (eco)toxicological hazard and antimicrobial resistance. Possibilities to minimize those risks e.g., at the level of safe-by-design are demonstrated.
Highlights
Infectious diseases are an increasing global concern to human health
The questions for the flip-chart sessions were based on the topic of Cooperation in Science and Technology programme (COST) AMiCI working group 3 (WG3) focusing ontoxicological risks and the possible induction of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) resulting from the use of AntiMicrobial Coatings (AMCs) in the healthcare settings
This paper intended to provide a comprehensive view on different aspects oftoxicological risks and potency to induce AMR resulting from the use of AMCs in healthcare sector
Summary
Infectious diseases are an increasing global concern to human health. European Centre for Disease prevention and Control [1] has estimated that over 4 million people are acquiring a HealthCareAssociated Infection (HCAI) annually leading to 37,000 deaths as a direct consequence of these infections. Infectious diseases are an increasing global concern to human health. European Centre for Disease prevention and Control [1] has estimated that over 4 million people are acquiring a HealthCare. Associated Infection (HCAI) annually leading to 37,000 deaths as a direct consequence of these infections. HCAIs are considered a major health challenge in healthcare units worldwide, whereas conditions derived from HCAIs are considered the sixth leading cause of death in western countries and even higher in developing countries [2]. The corner stones of maintaining healthy environment in hospitals include appropriate use of disinfectants (cleaning, disinfecting, hand hygiene) and antibiotics. Despite the importance of cleaning and disinfection of frequently-touched surfaces and monitoring the hygiene of these surfaces [3], it has been shown that less than half of the near patient surfaces are regularly cleaned [4,5,6], paving. Public Health 2017, 14, 366; doi:10.3390/ijerph14040366 www.mdpi.com/journal/ijerph
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