cleanSURFACES® intervention reduces microbial activity on surfaces in a senior care facility

Abstract

As one of the top public health challenges outlined by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), estimates report that hospital acquired infections (HAIs) claim the lives of 99,000 Americans and cost healthcare providers over $28 billion each year. In addition to underlying conditions related to age, elderly patients in long-term care facilities are at an elevated risk of acquiring HAIs. A large percentage of HAIs is attributable to contaminated surfaces and medical devices. To that end, this study utilized a metatranscriptomic sequencing workflow (CSI-Dx™) to profile active microbial communities from surfaces in the HJ Heinz Community Living Center, a long-term care facility in the Veterans Affairs Pittsburgh Health Care System. Swabs were collected from high-touch surfaces (Keyboard, Ledge, Workstation on Wheels, Worksurfaces) before (Baseline) and after cleanSURFACES® were installed at 4 timepoints (Day 1, Day 7, Day 14, and Day 30). Microbial richness was significantly reduced after cleanSURFACES® intervention (Wilcoxon test with Holm correction, p=0.000179). Beta diversity results revealed distinct clustering between Baseline and Post-intervention samples (Adonis, p<0.001). Reduction in bacterial (Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Staphylococcus hominis) and fungal (Malassezia restricta, Candida albicans, Candida glabrata, and Candida orthopsilosis) expression of opportunistic pathogens was observed. Additionally, a subset of taxa (Corynebacterium, Cutibacterium acnes, and Ralstonia pickettii) was present in specific Post-intervention timepoints and surface types. This study revealed decreased microbial activity, highlighting the potential for the combinatorial application of cleanSURFACES® and regular decontamination practices to reduce the prevalence of microbes causing HAIs.

Investigating the changing taxonomy and antimicrobial resistance of bacteria isolated from door handles in a new infectious disease ward pre- and post-patient admittance

“…Other studies investigating the hospital environment also frequently isolated various Staphylococcus spp . (Martineau et al, 2018; Nygren et al, 2023; Wright et al, 2022; Yano et al, 2017), with S. capitis, S. epidermidis and S. hominis being the most prevalent on frequently touched surfaces (Liu et al, 2022).…”

Demonstrating the In Vitro and In Situ Antimicrobial Activity of Oxide Mineral Microspheres: An Innovative Technology to Be Incorporated into Porous and Nonporous Materials

“…A literature search showed scarce studies of the efficiency of antimicrobial surfaces undertaken in situ and primarily in healthcare settings [101]. The in situ experiments targeted high-touch surfaces, considered a reservoir of pathogens, including GNB and GPB-susceptible and resistant strains, viruses, fungi, yeasts, and parasites [102][103][104][105]. These surfaces are commonly disinfected with chemical products that can often provide limited efficacy due to perpetual and instant recontamination [104,105].…”

“…The in situ experiments targeted high-touch surfaces, considered a reservoir of pathogens, including GNB and GPB-susceptible and resistant strains, viruses, fungi, yeasts, and parasites [102][103][104][105]. These surfaces are commonly disinfected with chemical products that can often provide limited efficacy due to perpetual and instant recontamination [104,105]. The contaminating pathogens may originate from the hands of the personnel in the community and the patient's microbiota in healthcare settings [72,106].…”

Clustering Disease of Clostridioides Difficile Infection: Implication for the Management in Internal Medicine

“…Hand hygiene and the use of gloves are one of the first aids to reduce nosocomial infections and in the case of CDI to avoid the spread of the germ and its spores [88][89][90]. Additional precautions can be represented by the use of disposable gowns to prevent contamination of work clothes [91][92][93].…”