Evaluation of ATP bioluminescence swabbing as a monitoring and training tool for effective hospital cleaning

Bioluminescence-based ATP testing of solid surfaces has become well established in the food processing industry as part of general hazard analysis and critical control points (HACCP) measures. The rise in healthcare associated infections (HAIs) at the turn of the century focussed attention on the environment as a potential reservoir of the agents responsible for such infections. In response to the need for objective methods of assessing the efficiency of cleaning in healthcare establishments and for rapid methods for detecting the presence of the pathogens responsible for HAIs, it was proposed that ATP testing of environmental surfaces be introduced. We examine the basis behind the assumptions inherent in these proposals. Intracellular ATP levels are shown to vary between microbial taxa and according to environmental conditions. Good correlations between microbial numbers and ATP levels have been obtained under certain specific conditions, but never within healthcare settings. Notwithstanding, ATP testing may still have a role in providing reassurance that cleaning regimes are being carried out satisfactorily. However, ATP results should not be interpreted as surrogate indicators for the presence of microbial pathogens.

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“…This poor correlation is typical of that previously reported for such environments (Willis et al, 2007).…”

Section: Correlations Of Atp With Microbial Concentrationmentioning

confidence: 44%

The uses and abuses of rapid bioluminescence-based ATP assays

Shama

Malik

2013

International Journal of Hygiene and Environmental Health

147

121

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“…Some studies reported poor correlation between ATP level and ACC. 11,17 However, Boyce and Fekieta 18 showed a low but significant level of correlation between log10 values of ATP and ACC. Our results were in agreement with the Boyce study.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 91%

Comparing visual inspection, aerobic colony counts, and adenosine triphosphate bioluminescence assay for evaluating surface cleanliness at a medical center

Huang

Chen

et al. 2015

American Journal of Infection Control

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“…Tangible values and trends over time from bioluminescencebased ATP data have the advantage of immediate and potentially longer-term feedback for housekeeping staff (260). The use of ATP monitoring appears to have a pronounced effect on cleaners, especially when they receive educational programs at the same time (247).…”

Section: Atp Bioluminescence Systemsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Controlling Hospital-Acquired Infection: Focus on the Role of the Environment and New Technologies for Decontamination

2014

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SUMMARY There is increasing interest in the role of cleaning for managing hospital-acquired infections (HAI). Pathogens such as vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE), methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), multiresistant Gram-negative bacilli, norovirus, and Clostridium difficile persist in the health care environment for days. Both detergent- and disinfectant-based cleaning can help control these pathogens, although difficulties with measuring cleanliness have compromised the quality of published evidence. Traditional cleaning methods are notoriously inefficient for decontamination, and new approaches have been proposed, including disinfectants, steam, automated dispersal systems, and antimicrobial surfaces. These methods are difficult to evaluate for cost-effectiveness because environmental data are not usually modeled against patient outcome. Recent studies have reported the value of physically removing soil using detergent, compared with more expensive (and toxic) disinfectants. Simple cleaning methods should be evaluated against nonmanual disinfection using standardized sampling and surveillance. Given worldwide concern over escalating antimicrobial resistance, it is clear that more studies on health care decontamination are required. Cleaning schedules should be adapted to reflect clinical risk, location, type of site, and hand touch frequency and should be evaluated for cost versus benefit for both routine and outbreak situations. Forthcoming evidence on the role of antimicrobial surfaces could supplement infection prevention strategies for health care environments, including those targeting multidrug-resistant pathogens.

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Evaluation of ATP bioluminescence swabbing as a monitoring and training tool for effective hospital cleaning

Cited by 50 publications

References 11 publications

The uses and abuses of rapid bioluminescence-based ATP assays

The uses and abuses of rapid bioluminescence-based ATP assays

Comparing visual inspection, aerobic colony counts, and adenosine triphosphate bioluminescence assay for evaluating surface cleanliness at a medical center

Controlling Hospital-Acquired Infection: Focus on the Role of the Environment and New Technologies for Decontamination

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