Dataset Information

Cleaning and disinfection of surfaces in hospitals. Improvement in quality of structure, process and outcome in the hospitals in Frankfurt/Main, Germany, in 2016 compared to 2014.

ABSTRACT: The cleaning and disinfection of surfaces in hospitals is becoming increasingly important in the multi-barrier approach for preventing infection, in addition to hand hygiene and proper reprocessing of medical devices. Therefore, in 2014, the quality of structure, process and outcome of surface preparation was checked in all hospitals in Frankfurt/Main, Germany. Because of great need for improvements, this monitoring was repeated in 2016. The data are presented in comparison to those in 2014. Methods: All 16 hospitals provided information on the quality of structure. Data on quality of process was obtained through direct observation during cleaning and disinfection of rooms and their bathrooms. Data on quality of result was acquired using the fluorescence method, i.e., marking surfaces with a fluorescent liquid and testing whether this mark has been sufficiently removed by cleaning. The results are compared to those of the 17 hospitals monitored in 2014, before the closing of one of the hospitals.Results: Quality of structure [data from 2014]: In all hospitals, the employees were trained regularly. In 14 (88%) [12; 71%] of those, the foremen had the required qualifications. In 1 (6%) [6; 35%] hospitals, some uncertainty remained concerning the interface of the cleaning and nursing care services. A complete cleaning was reported to take place in 12 (75%) [12; 70%] hospitals on Saturdays and in 4 (25%) [2; 11%] hospitals on Sundays. Quality of process: During process monitoring, the different surfaces with frequent hand or skin contact were prepared to different extents (91-100%) [70-100%]. Quality of result: 88% [75%] of fluorescent marks were appropriately removed. Conclusion: Compared to 2014, a clear improvement were seen in 2016, especially in the qualification of the foremen and in terms of clearly defining the interface between cleaning and care services as well as the quality of process and outcome. Nevertheless, regarding the growing importance of proper reprocessing of hospital surfaces for prevention of infections and/or colonizations, further improvements are mandatory, including a program for better education of the cleaning staff.

SUBMITTER: Hausemann A

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6069267 | biostudies-other | 2018

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-other

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Cleaning and disinfection of surfaces in hospitals. Improvement in quality of structure, process and outcome in the hospitals in Frankfurt/Main, Germany, in 2016 compared to 2014.

Hausemann Angelika A Grünewald Miriam M Otto Ulla U Heudorf Ursel U

GMS hygiene and infection control 20180717

The cleaning and disinfection of surfaces in hospitals is becoming increasingly important in the multi-barrier approach for preventing infection, in addition to hand hygiene and proper reprocessing of medical devices. Therefore, in 2014, the quality of structure, process and outcome of surface preparation was checked in all hospitals in Frankfurt/Main, Germany. Because of great need for improvements, this monitoring was repeated in 2016. The data are presented in comparison to those in 2014. <b> ...[more]

PMID: 30101050

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Project description:Experts agree that careful cleaning and disinfection of environmental surfaces are essential elements of effective infection prevention programs. However, traditional manual cleaning and disinfection practices in hospitals are often suboptimal. This is often due in part to a variety of personnel issues that many Environmental Services departments encounter. Failure to follow manufacturer's recommendations for disinfectant use and lack of antimicrobial activity of some disinfectants against healthcare-associated pathogens may also affect the efficacy of disinfection practices. Improved hydrogen peroxide-based liquid surface disinfectants and a combination product containing peracetic acid and hydrogen peroxide are effective alternatives to disinfectants currently in widespread use, and electrolyzed water (hypochlorous acid) and cold atmospheric pressure plasma show potential for use in hospitals. Creating "self-disinfecting" surfaces by coating medical equipment with metals such as copper or silver, or applying liquid compounds that have persistent antimicrobial activity surfaces are additional strategies that require further investigation. Newer "no-touch" (automated) decontamination technologies include aerosol and vaporized hydrogen peroxide, mobile devices that emit continuous ultraviolet (UV-C) light, a pulsed-xenon UV light system, and use of high-intensity narrow-spectrum (405 nm) light. These "no-touch" technologies have been shown to reduce bacterial contamination of surfaces. A micro-condensation hydrogen peroxide system has been associated in multiple studies with reductions in healthcare-associated colonization or infection, while there is more limited evidence of infection reduction by the pulsed-xenon system. A recently completed prospective, randomized controlled trial of continuous UV-C light should help determine the extent to which this technology can reduce healthcare-associated colonization and infections. In conclusion, continued efforts to improve traditional manual disinfection of surfaces are needed. In addition, Environmental Services departments should consider the use of newer disinfectants and no-touch decontamination technologies to improve disinfection of surfaces in healthcare.

Project description:Surfaces of food processing premises are exposed to regular cleaning and disinfection (C&D) regimes, using biocides that are highly effective against bacteria growing as planktonic cells. However, bacteria growing in surface-associated communities (biofilms) are typically more tolerant toward C&D than their individual free-cell counterparts, and survival of pathogens such as Listeria monocytogenes may be affected by interspecies interactions within biofilms. In this study, Pseudomonas and Acinetobacter were the most frequently isolated genera surviving on conveyor belts subjected to C&D in meat processing plants. In the laboratory, Pseudomonas, Acinetobacter, and L. monocytogenes dominated the community, both in suspensions and in biofilms formed on conveyor belts, when cultures were inoculated with eleven-genus cocktails of representative bacterial strains from the identified background flora. When biofilms were exposed to daily C&D cycles mimicking treatments used in food industry, the levels of Acinetobacter and Pseudomonas mandelii diminished, and biofilms were instead dominated by Pseudomonas putida (65 to 76%), Pseudomonas fluorescens (11 to 15%) and L. monocytogenes (3 to 11%). The dominance of certain species after daily C&D correlated with high planktonic growth rates at 12°C and tolerance to C&D. In single-species biofilms, L. monocytogenes developed higher tolerance to C&D over time, for both the peracetic acid and quaternary ammonium disinfectants, indicating that a broad-spectrum mechanism was involved. Survival after C&D appeared to be a common property of L. monocytogenes strains, as persistent and sporadic subtypes showed equal survival rates in complex biofilms. Biofilms established preferentially in surface irregularities of conveyor belts, potentially constituting harborage sites for persistent contamination.IMPORTANCE In the food industry, efficient production hygiene is a key measure to avoid the accumulation of spoilage bacteria and eliminate pathogens. However, the persistence of bacteria is an enduring problem in food processing environments. This study demonstrated that environmental bacteria can survive foam cleaning and disinfection (C&D) at concentrations used in the industrial environment. The phenomenon was replicated in laboratory experiments. Important characteristics of persisting bacteria were a high growth rate at low temperature, a tolerance to the cleaning agent, and the ability to form biofilms. This study also supports other recent research suggesting that strain-to-strain variation cannot explain why certain subtypes of Listeria monocytogenes persist in food processing environments while others are found only sporadically. The present investigation highlights the failure of regular C&D and a need for research on improved agents that efficiently detach the biofilm matrix.

Project description:AIM:The Commission for Hospital Hygiene and Infection Prevention (KRINKO) updated the recommendations for the prevention of catheter-associated urinary tract infections in 2015. This article will describe the implementation of these recommendations in Frankfurt's hospitals in autumn, 2015. MATERIAL AND METHODS:In two non-ICU wards of each of Frankfurt's 17 hospitals, inspections were performed using a checklist based on the new KRINKO recommendations. In one large hospital, a total of 5 wards were inspected. The inspections covered the structure and process quality (operating instructions, training, indication, the placement and maintenance of catheters) and the demonstration of the preparation for insertion of a catheter using an empty bed and an imaginary patient, or insertion in a model. RESULTS:Operating instructions were available in all hospital wards; approximately half of the wards regularly performed training sessions. The indications were largely in line with the recommendations of the KRINKO. Alternatives to urinary tract catheters were available and were used more often than the urinary tract catheters themselves (15.9% vs. 13.5%). In accordance with the recommendations, catheters were placed without antibiotic prophylaxis or the instillation of antiseptic or antimicrobial substances or catheter flushing solutions. The demonstration of catheter placement was conscientiously performed. Need for improvement was seen in the daily documentation and the regular verification of continuing indication for a urinary catheter, as well as the omission of regular catheter change. CONCLUSION:Overall, the recommendations of the KRINKO on the prevention of catheter-associated urinary tract infections were adequately implemented. However, it cannot be ruled out that in situations with time pressure and staff shortage, the handling of urinary tract catheters may be of lower quality than that observed during the inspections, when catheter insertion was done by two nurses. Against this background, a sufficient number of qualified staff and regular ward rounds by the hygiene staff appear recommendable.

Dataset Information

Cleaning and disinfection of surfaces in hospitals. Improvement in quality of structure, process and outcome in the hospitals in Frankfurt/Main, Germany, in 2016 compared to 2014.

Publications

Cleaning and disinfection of surfaces in hospitals. Improvement in quality of structure, process and outcome in the hospitals in Frankfurt/Main, Germany, in 2016 compared to 2014.

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