Hygiene im Rettungsdienst: Wird die Wischdesinfektion der kontaminationsgefährdeten Flächen im Rettungswagen bedarfsgerecht durchgeführt?

Karl, C.; Hüfner, Andreas; Pemmerl, Sylvia

doi:10.1055/a-1661-3917

Cited by 2 publications

(1 citation statement)

References 23 publications

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“…Similarly, it could be stated that fundamental prerequisites for handling highly infectious patients are not material resources alone, but in particular the safe mastery of the required procedures (Finsterer, Kraus, Birkholz, 2021;Pfaff, 2022). Karl et al (2022) were able to show a discrepancy between the 10 most frequently touched surfaces in the ambulance and the 10 most frequently disinfected surfaces. As a result, following Vikke es al.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Plasma disinfection procedures for air and surfaces in emergency service vehicles - a field trial at the German red cross

Schaal

Schmelz²

2023

Preprint

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The need for disinfection in ambulances is high as medical procedures are performed inside the cars and patients may have open wounds that pose a high risk of infection. The application of reactive products from air's oxygen and water vapor, brought to reaction through cold plasma, can be a solution to the discrepancy in surface hygiene. The cell membrane of the microorganisms is perforated by the charged particles of the cold plasma. This is impossible in human cells because proteins in the form of enzymes break down the cold plasma and protect the cells. An ambulance was contaminated in 8 places. Samples were taken at each site and two surfaces of approximately 8x8 cm were sealed and marked. Both surfaces were contaminated with an Enterococcus faecium suspension of 8.5x107CFU/mL by applying the suspension with a sterile cotton swab. Then, the disinfection process was applied. The PLASMOCAR® device was placed in the front work surface and operated for 30 minutes using the vehicle's onboard voltage. During operation, doors and windows were closed and the vehicle's air conditioning was active. The surfaces for bacterial counts were sampled after the disinfection process was completed. A reduction of 3.73 log levels in initial bacteria was achieved in the rescue vehicle for Enterococcus faecium, equivalent to a 10-4-fold reduction in bacteria, eliminating up to 99.99% of the initial microorganisms. This makes the process suitable as a continuously "background" procedure to support and relieve established disinfection procedures. The established disinfection procedures per hygiene plan should be recognized as soon as mechanical cleaning of surfaces is needed. The use of PLASMOCAR® provides additional security and significantly reduces the background risk of transmitting microorganisms through cross-contamination and aerosols, a relevant benefit for staff and patients.

show abstract

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Plasma disinfection procedures for air and surfaces in emergency service vehicles - a field trial at the German red cross

Schaal

Schmelz²

2023

Preprint

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

Plasma disinfection procedures for surfaces in emergency service vehicles: a field trial at the German Red Cross

Schaal,

Schmelz

2023

Sci Rep

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

The demand for thorough disinfection within ambulances is essential, given the in-vehicle medical procedures and the potential high risk of infections due to patients' open wounds. One solution that can address this hygiene challenge involves the application of reactive products generated from atmospheric (air) oxygen and water vapor, activated through the use of cold plasma. Cold plasma's charged particles perforate the cell membranes of microorganisms. This process does not work in human cells, as proteins in the form of enzymes within the body break down the cold plasma and protect the cells. The study was done on an ambulance that was contaminated in eight places. Samples were taken from each site, and two surfaces measuring approximately 8 × 8 cm were carefully sealed and marked. These surfaces were deliberately contaminated by applying an Enterococcus faecium suspension of 8.5 × 107 CFU/mL using a sterile cotton swab. It was followed by the disinfection procedure, that was initiated with the PLASMOCAR device. It was positioned on the front workspace and operated for a duration of 30 min, utilizing the vehicle's onboard voltage. Throughout the operation, all doors and windows were closed and the vehicle's air conditioning system remained active. After the completion of the disinfection process, samples were collected from the surfaces for bacterial counts. A reduction of 3.73 log levels in initial bacteria was accomplished within the rescue vehicle for Enterococcus faecium, equivalent to a 10–fourfold reduction in bacteria, eliminating up to 99.99% of the initial microorganisms. This success makes the process well-suited and convenient as an ongoing "background" procedure to enhance the established disinfection procedures. The established disinfection procedures outlined in the hygiene plan must be promptly implemented whenever mechanical surface cleaning is required. The use of PLASMOCAR offers an extra layer of protection and security, significantly decreasing the risk of microorganism transmission through cross-contamination and aerosols. This is a significant benefit for the well-being of both staff and patients.

show abstract

Hygiene im Rettungsdienst: Wird die Wischdesinfektion der kontaminationsgefährdeten Flächen im Rettungswagen bedarfsgerecht durchgeführt?

Cited by 2 publications

References 23 publications

Plasma disinfection procedures for air and surfaces in emergency service vehicles - a field trial at the German red cross

Plasma disinfection procedures for air and surfaces in emergency service vehicles - a field trial at the German red cross

Plasma disinfection procedures for surfaces in emergency service vehicles: a field trial at the German Red Cross

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