Wiping out MRSA: effect of introducing a universal disinfection wipe in a large UK teaching hospital

Abstract

BackgroundContamination of the inanimate environment around patients constitutes an important reservoir of MRSA. Here we describe the effect of introducing a universal disinfection wipe in all wards on the rates of MRSA acquisitions and bacteraemias across a large UK teaching hospital.MethodsA segmented Poisson regression model was used to detect any significant changes in the monthly numbers per 100,000 bed days of MRSA acquisitions and bacteraemias from April 2013 - December 2017 across QEHB.ResultsFrom April 2013 to April 2016, cleaning of ward areas and multi-use patient equipment by nursing staff consisted of a two-wipe system. Firstly, a detergent wipe was used, which was followed by a disinfection step using an alcohol wipe. In May 2016, QEHB discontinued the use of a two-wipe system for cleaning and changed to a one wipe system utilising a combined cleaning and disinfection wipe containing a quaternary ammonium compound. The segmented Poisson regression model demonstrated that the rate of MRSA acquisition/100,000 patient bed days was affected by the introduction of the new wiping regime (20.7 to 9.4 per 100,000 patient bed days; p <0.005).DiscussionUsing a Poisson model we demonstrated that the average hospital acquisition rate of MRSA/100,000 patient bed days reduced by 6.3% per month after the introduction of the new universal wipe.ConclusionWe suggest that using a simple one wipe system for nurse cleaning is an effective strategy to reduce the spread and incidence of healthcare associated MRSA.

The value of the infection prevention and control nurse led MRSA ward round

“…Staphylococcus aureus is a major cause of healthcare-associated infection worldwide [ 1 – 3 ]. Meticillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) has become prevalent in most parts of the world [ 1 – 3 ].…”

“…Staphylococcus aureus is a major cause of healthcare-associated infection worldwide [ 1 – 3 ]. Meticillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) has become prevalent in most parts of the world [ 1 – 3 ]. Despite its decline in incidence in several European countries, MRSA infection remains a major cause of avoidable morbidity and mortality in patients admitted to hospital [ 1 – 3 ].…”

“…Meticillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) has become prevalent in most parts of the world [ 1 – 3 ]. Despite its decline in incidence in several European countries, MRSA infection remains a major cause of avoidable morbidity and mortality in patients admitted to hospital [ 1 – 3 ]. It results in increased length of hospital stay, risk of death and treatment costs, with colonised and infected patients acting as reservoirs for the spread of MRSA within hospitals [ 1 – 3 ].…”

“…Despite its decline in incidence in several European countries, MRSA infection remains a major cause of avoidable morbidity and mortality in patients admitted to hospital [ 1 – 3 ]. It results in increased length of hospital stay, risk of death and treatment costs, with colonised and infected patients acting as reservoirs for the spread of MRSA within hospitals [ 1 – 3 ]. Isolation and decolonisation are the two main targeted control measures for reducing transmission [ 2 , 3 ].…”

“…It results in increased length of hospital stay, risk of death and treatment costs, with colonised and infected patients acting as reservoirs for the spread of MRSA within hospitals [ 1 – 3 ]. Isolation and decolonisation are the two main targeted control measures for reducing transmission [ 2 , 3 ].…”