scholarly journals Outbreaks of healthcare-associated infections linked to water-containing hospital equipment: a literature review

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Wing-Kee Yiek ◽  
Olga Coenen ◽  
Mayke Nillesen ◽  
Jakko van Ingen ◽  
Edmée Bowles ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Medical Device ◽  
Medical Devices ◽  
Healthcare Associated Infections ◽  
Water Safety ◽  
Source Of Infection ◽  
Closed Water ◽  
Cleaning Staff ◽  
Healthcare Associated ◽  
Cleaning And Disinfection ◽  
Hospital Equipment

Abstract Background Healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) are a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in hospitalized patients. Water in the environment can be a source of infection linked to outbreaks and environmental transmission in hospitals. Water safety in hospitals remains a challenge. This article has summarized available scientific literature to obtain an overview of outbreaks linked to water-containing hospital equipment and strategies to prevent such outbreaks. Methods We made a list of water-containing hospital equipment and devices in which water is being used in a semi-closed circuit. A literature search was performed in PubMed with a search strategy containing the names of these medical devices and one or more of the following words: outbreak, environmental contamination, transmission, infection. For each medical device, we summarized the following information: the function of the medical device, causes of contamination, the described outbreaks and possible prevention strategies. Results The following water-containing medical equipment  or devices were identified: heater-cooler units, hemodialysis equipment, neonatal incubators, dental unit waterlines, fluid warmers, nebulizers, water traps, water baths, blanketrol, scalp cooling, and thermic stimulators. Of the latter three, no literature could be found. Of all other devices, one or more outbreaks associated with these devices were reported in the literature. Conclusions The water reservoirs in water-containing medical devices can be a source of microbial growth and transmissions to patients, despite the semi-closed water circuit. Proper handling and proper cleaning and disinfection can help to reduce the microbial burden and, consequently, transmission to patients. However, these devices are often difficult to clean and disinfect because they cannot be adequately opened or disassembled, and the manufacturer’s cleaning guidelines are often not feasible to execute. The development of equipment without water or fluid containers should be stimulated. Precise cleaning and disinfection guidelines and instructions are essential for instructing healthcare workers and hospital cleaning staff to prevent potential transmission to patients.

scholarly journals Impact of Healthcare-Associated Infections Connected to Medical Devices—An Update

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (11) ◽  
pp. 2332
Author(s):  
Nitin Chandra Teja Dadi ◽  
Barbora Radochová ◽  
Jarmila Vargová ◽  
Helena Bujdáková
Keyword(s):  
Medical Devices ◽  
Surgical Site Infections ◽  
Central Line ◽  
Ventilator Associated Pneumonia ◽  
Healthcare Associated Infections ◽  
Care Bundles ◽  
Planktonic Form ◽  
Novel Approaches ◽  
Healthcare Associated ◽  
The Impact

Healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) are caused by nosocomial pathogens. HAIs have an immense impact not only on developing countries but also on highly developed parts of world. They are predominantly device-associated infections that are caused by the planktonic form of microorganisms as well as those organized in biofilms. This review elucidates the impact of HAIs, focusing on device-associated infections such as central line-associated bloodstream infection including catheter infection, catheter-associated urinary tract infection, ventilator-associated pneumonia, and surgical site infections. The most relevant microorganisms are mentioned in terms of their frequency of infection on medical devices. Standard care bundles, conventional therapy, and novel approaches against device-associated infections are briefly mentioned as well. This review concisely summarizes relevant and up-to-date information on HAIs and HAI-associated microorganisms and also provides a description of several useful approaches for tackling HAIs.

scholarly journals Enhanced antibacterial efficacy of nitric oxide releasing thermoplastic polyurethanes with antifouling hydrophilic topcoats

2017 ◽  
Vol 5 (7) ◽  
pp. 1246-1255 ◽  
Author(s):  
Priyadarshini Singha ◽  
Jitendra Pant ◽  
Marcus J. Goudie ◽  
Christina D. Workman ◽  
Hitesh Handa
Keyword(s):  
Nitric Oxide ◽  
Medical Devices ◽  
Antimicrobial Efficacy ◽  
Healthcare Associated Infections ◽  
Antibacterial Efficacy ◽  
Thermoplastic Polyurethanes ◽  
Nitric Oxide Releasing ◽  
Healthcare Associated

Hydrophilic antifouling topcoat combined with nitric oxide releasing polymer to enhance antimicrobial efficacy and combat healthcare-associated infections caused by medical devices.

Understanding ultraviolet light surface decontamination in hospital rooms: A primer

2019 ◽  
Vol 40 (9) ◽  
pp. 1030-1035 ◽  
Author(s):  
John M. Boyce ◽  
Curtis J. Donskey
Keyword(s):  
Mobile Devices ◽  
Ultraviolet Light ◽  
Surface Contamination ◽  
Healthcare Associated Infections ◽  
Healthcare Settings ◽  
Light Surface ◽  
Few Data ◽  
Healthcare Associated ◽  
Cleaning And Disinfection ◽  
Uv C

AbstractOngoing challenges in maintaining optimum manual cleaning and disinfection of hospital rooms have created increased interest in “no-touch” decontamination technologies including the use of ultraviolet light (UV). Trials have shown that some UV devices can decrease surface contamination and reduce healthcare-associated infections. Despite substantial marketing of these devices for use in healthcare settings, few data are available regarding the doses of UV-C necessary to yield desired reductions in healthcare pathogens and the ability of mobile devices to deliver adequate doses to various surfaces in patient rooms. This review summarizes the physical aspects of UV that affect the doses delivered to surfaces, the UV-C doses needed to yield 3 log10reductions of several important healthcare-associated pathogens, the doses of UV-C that can be achieved in various locations in patient rooms using mobile UV-C devices, and methods for measuring UV doses delivered to surfaces.

scholarly journals CouldHistoplasma capsulatumBe Related to Healthcare-Associated Infections?

2015 ◽  
Vol 2015 ◽  
pp. 1-11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Laura Elena Carreto-Binaghi ◽  
Lisandra Serra Damasceno ◽  
Nayla de Souza Pitangui ◽  
Ana Marisa Fusco-Almeida ◽  
Maria José Soares Mendes-Giannini ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Medical Devices ◽  
Histoplasma Capsulatum ◽  
Paracoccidioides Brasiliensis ◽  
Etiologic Agent ◽  
Hospital Environment ◽  
Healthcare Associated Infections ◽  
Filamentous Form ◽  
Etiologic Agents ◽  
Cross Transmission ◽  
Healthcare Associated

Healthcare-associated infections (HAI) are described in diverse settings. The main etiologic agents of HAI are bacteria (85%) and fungi (13%). Some factors increase the risk for HAI, particularly the use of medical devices; patients with severe cuts, wounds, and burns; stays in the intensive care unit, surgery, and hospital reconstruction works. Several fungal HAI are caused byCandidaspp., usually from an endogenous source; however, cross-transmission via the hands of healthcare workers or contaminated devices can occur. Although other medically important fungi, such asBlastomyces dermatitidis,Paracoccidioides brasiliensis, andHistoplasma capsulatum, have never been considered nosocomial pathogens, there are some factors that point out the pros and cons for this possibility. Among these fungi,H. capsulatuminfection has been linked to different medical devices and surgery implants. The filamentous form ofH. capsulatummay be present in hospital settings, as this fungus adapts to different types of climates and has great dispersion ability. Although conventional pathogen identification techniques have never identifiedH. capsulatumin the hospital environment, molecular biology procedures could be useful in this setting. More research onH. capsulatumas a HAI etiologic agent is needed, since it causes a severe and often fatal disease in immunocompromised patients.

Preventing Healthcare-Associated Infections by Monitoring the Cleanliness of Medical Devices and Other Critical Points in a Sterilization Service

2016 ◽  
Vol 50 (s3) ◽  
pp. 45-52 ◽  
Author(s):  
Isabel Veiga-Malta
Keyword(s):  
Medical Devices ◽  
Positive Impact ◽  
Good Practice ◽  
Surgical Instruments ◽  
Healthcare Associated Infections ◽  
Positive Contribution ◽  
Atp Bioluminescence ◽  
Sterilization Service ◽  
Healthcare Associated

Abstract It is well known that the common goal of all central sterile supply departments (CSSDs) is to prevent healthcare-associated infections. Such infections entail high costs to society, not only economic but also social. Therefore, delivering safe medical devices and guaranteeing a positive contribution to the control of healthcare-associated infections form the main responsibilities of a CSSD. The monitoring of the effectiveness of medical device cleaning processes is highly recommended. However, ensuring a flawless environment for the preparation, assembly, and packaging of medical devices and clean handling of sterilized items is crucial to achieving the goal of safe medical devices. This study analyzed not only the cleanliness of surgical instruments but also two critical aspects of the surrounding environment: the cleanliness of work surfaces and the cleanliness of workers' hands. To evaluate the cleanliness of surgical instruments, two methods were used: the adenosine triphosphate (ATP) detection method and a residual protein test. It was not the intention of this work to make an exhaustive comparison of these methods. The ATP bioluminescence method was also used for monitoring the cleanliness of work surfaces and workers' hands. The aims of this study were to establish the most suitable method of evaluating the cleanliness of reusable medical devices in the CSSD and to assess the quality of the environment. Assessing the surgical instruments, work surfaces, and staff hands for cleanliness allowed the identification of possible contamination sources and to correct them by improving cleaning/disinfection protocols. Furthermore, the use of ATP monitoring tests of workers' hands highlighted the importance of staff compliance with good practice guidelines. Thus, these results have a positive impact on the CSSD quality system and, consequently, on patient safety.

scholarly journals Healthcare-associated infections, medical devices and biofilms: risk, tolerance and control

2015 ◽  
Vol 64 (4) ◽  
pp. 323-334 ◽  
Author(s):  
Steven L. Percival ◽  
Louise Suleman ◽  
Claudia Vuotto ◽  
Gianfranco Donelli
Keyword(s):  
Medical Devices ◽  
Risk Tolerance ◽  
Healthcare Associated Infections ◽  
Healthcare Associated ◽  
And Control

Multiresistente Erreger (MRE) in der Rehabilitation: Prävalenz und Risikofaktoren für MRGN und VRE

2020 ◽  
Vol 59 (06) ◽  
pp. 366-375
Author(s):  
Katrin Steul ◽  
Cleo Schmehl ◽  
Marlene Berres ◽  
Sabine Hofmann ◽  
Andrea Klaus-Altschuck ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Medical Devices ◽  
Multiresistente Erreger ◽  
Healthcare Associated Infections ◽  
Term Care ◽  
Iso 15189 ◽  
Care Facilities ◽  
Neurologische Frührehabilitation ◽  
Vitek 2 ◽  
Healthcare Associated

Zusammenfassung Hintergrund Nach einer ersten großen Untersuchung zu multiresistenten Erregern (MRE) in Rehabilitationseinrichtungen im Jahr 2014 führte das MRE-Netz Rhein-Main im Jahr 2019 erneut eine Untersuchung durch, diesmal wurde vor dem Hintergrund der KRINKO-Empfehlung zu multiresistenten Enterokokken auf das Vorkommen Vancomycin-resistenter Enterokokken (VRE) und multiresistenter gramnegative Erreger (3MRGN und 4MRGN) untersucht. Material und Methoden Insgesamt 16 Kliniken nahmen teil, darunter eine Klinik für neurologische Frührehabilitation (FR). Die Teilnahme der Patienten war freiwillig. Die Rektalabstriche wurden in einem nach DIN ISO 15189-akkreditierten medizinisch-mikrobiologischen Labor mittels etablierten Standard-Methoden (u. a. via mittels MALDI–TOF-MS und VITEK 2-Resistenztestung gem. EUCAST) analysiert. Mit dem standardisierten Fragebogen der europaweiten HALT-Untersuchung (Healthcare associated infections in long-term care facilities) wurden Patientencharakteristika (Alter, Geschlecht, Krankenhaus, OP- und MRE-Anamnese, Medical devices, aktuelle Antibiotikatherapie etc.) erhoben. Ergebnisse 928 Patienten nahmen an der Untersuchung teil, 895 aus allgemeinen Reha-Einrichtungen (AR) und 33 aus einer neurologischen Frührehabilitation (FR). 65% der AR-Patienten (FR 100%) gaben einen Klinikaufenthalt in den letzten 6 Monaten an, 29% (FR 100%) der Patienten wurden direkt aus einer Klinik aufgenommen, 22% (FR 64%) hatten eine Antibiotika-Therapie in den letzten 3 Monaten erhalten. Medical devices waren bei AR-Patienten mit 1% insgesamt selten, in der FR mit 61% Harnwegskathetern und 36% Gefäßkathetern jedoch häufig. 2,2% (FR 33,3%) der AR-Patienten waren mit VRE und 6,7% (FR 18,2%) mit 3MRGN besiedelt. Ein Patient wies einen 4MRGN-Erreger auf (FR 0). Diskussion Im Vergleich zur früheren Untersuchung ergaben sich bei den erhobenen Patientencharakteristika keine wesentlichen Änderungen. Die VRE-Prävalenz war mit 3,3% niedrig, die Prävalenz an 3MRGN war mit 7,1% im Vergleich zu 2014 (3,6%) höher. Risikofaktoren für eine VRE- und eine 3MRGN-Besiedelung (sign. erhöhte Odds-Ratio) waren: Krankenhausbehandlung in der Anamnese sowie ein erhöhter Pflegebedarf aufgrund von Bewegungseinschränkung, Stuhlinkontinenz und Desorientiertheit. Darüber hinaus wurden eine vorausgegangene Antibiotikabehandlung sowie Hautbarriereverletzungen bedingt durch Medical devices oder Wunden als weitere Risikofaktoren für eine VRE-Besiedelung gefunden.

scholarly journals Effectiveness of autoclaving in sterilizing reusable medical devices in healthcare facilities

2019 ◽  
Vol 13 (10) ◽  
pp. 858-864 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gopal Panta ◽  
Ann K Richardson ◽  
Ian C Shaw
Keyword(s):  
Developing Countries ◽  
Medical Devices ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Biological Indicators ◽  
Healthcare Associated Infections ◽  
Steam Sterilization ◽  
Healthcare Facilities ◽  
Clinical Procedures ◽  
Cost Effective Method ◽  
Healthcare Associated

Medical devices are sterilized before being used for invasive clinical procedures such as surgery, to prevent pathogen transfer. Failure to sterilize medical devices properly presents a risk of healthcare-associated infections. Studies and reports have indicated that inadequately sterilized medical devices are one of the causes of a higher rate of healthcare-associated infections in developing countries. Steam sterilization (autoclaving) is the most widely used method for sterilization and is considered the most robust and cost-effective method for sterilization of medical devices. The effectiveness of steam sterilization can be measured using biological indicators. A literature search was undertaken to understand the effectiveness of autoclaving in sterilizing reusable medical devices in healthcare facilities across the globe. Studies using biological indicators for measuring the effectiveness of autoclaving were obtained. Failures of steam sterilization practices were identified and discussed as a means of identifying factors that might be associated with the ineffectiveness of steam sterilization practices between different countries. The number of studies measuring the effectiveness of steam sterilization is small, and few evaluate the effectiveness of steam sterilization specifically in developing countries. There are fewer studies on higher level healthcare facilities than dental facilities. More evidence about the effectiveness of autoclaving in healthcare facilities is needed to draw firm conclusions, but the data suggest that there are inadequacies in autoclave procedures and operator education.

scholarly journals Cleaning Staff’s Attitudes about Hand Hygiene in a Metropolitan Hospital in Australia: A Qualitative Study

2019 ◽  
Vol 16 (6) ◽  
pp. 1067 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marguerite Sendall ◽  
Laura McCosker ◽  
Kate Halton
Keyword(s):  
Qualitative Study ◽  
Hand Hygiene ◽  
Healthcare Associated Infections ◽  
Limited Information ◽  
Improve Hand Hygiene ◽  
Hygiene Practices ◽  
Hygiene Compliance ◽  
Cleaning Staff ◽  
Healthcare Associated ◽  
Hospital Cleaning

Background: In 2009, the National Hand Hygiene Initiative (NHHI) was implemented in hospitals across Australia with the aim of improving hand hygiene practices and reducing healthcare-associated infections. Audits conducted post-implementation showed the lowest rates of compliance with hand hygiene practices are among operational staff including hospital cleaners. There is limited information about hand hygiene issues in hospital cleaners to inform development of evidence-based interventions to improve hand hygiene compliance in this group. Aim: This qualitative study was undertaken to explore the attitudes of hospital cleaning staff regarding hand hygiene and the National Hand Hygiene Initiative. Methodology: Focus groups were conducted with 12 cleaning staff at a large Australian hospital implementing the National Hand Hygiene Initiative. Findings: Hospital cleaners recognise the importance of hand hygiene in preventing healthcare-associated infections. Cleaners cite peer support, leadership, and the recognition and reward of those excelling in hand hygiene as strong motivators. Barriers to optimal hand hygiene practice include the presence of multiple conflicting guidelines, hand hygiene “overload” and a lack of contextualised education programs. This exploratory qualitative study reveals three themes about attitudes of hospital cleaning staff towards hand hygiene. These themes are: (1) “The culture of hand hygiene: It’s drummed into us”; (2) “Reminders and promotion for hand hygiene: We just need a big ‘Please wash your hands’ sign”; and (3) “The personal value of hand hygiene: Like he said, it’s second nature to us”. Conclusion: Hand-hygiene messages and training need to be more consistent and contextualised to achieve improvements in hand hygiene practices in hospital cleaning staff in Australia.

scholarly journals Anti-Colonization Effect of Au Surfaces with Self-Assembled Molecular Monolayers Functionalized with Antimicrobial Peptides on S. epidermidis

Antibiotics ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (12) ◽  
pp. 1516
Author(s):  
Eskil André Karlsen ◽  
Wenche Stensen ◽  
Eric Juskewitz ◽  
Johan Svenson ◽  
Mattias Berglin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Antimicrobial Peptides ◽  
Medical Devices ◽  
Bacterial Colonization ◽  
Gold Surface ◽  
Healthcare Associated Infections ◽  
Model Surface ◽  
Molecular Monolayers ◽  
Self Assembled ◽  
Unit Reduction ◽  
Healthcare Associated

Medical devices with an effective anti-colonization surface are important tools for combatting healthcare-associated infections. Here, we investigated the anti-colonization efficacy of antimicrobial peptides covalently attached to a gold model surface. The gold surface was modified by a self-assembled polyethylene glycol monolayer with an acetylene terminus. The peptides were covalently connected to the surface through a copper-catalyzed [3 + 2] azide-acetylene coupling (CuAAC). The anti-colonization efficacy of the surfaces varied as a function of the antimicrobial activity of the peptides, and very effective surfaces could be prepared with a 6 log unit reduction in bacterial colonization.

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