Health facilities are constantly exposed to contamination of microorganisms from patients, staff, and visitors. Surface contamination presents a significant risk, especially in intensive care units where patients struggle with severe health conditions and are more prone to contract Hospital-Acquired Infections (HAIs).

A study on this topic using the automated room disinfection system STERISAFE PRO was conducted at the Clinical Center of the University of Sarajevo (Bosnia and Herzegovina). The authors of this study conducted their research in a real-life situation, where samples were taken directly from a patient’s isolation room.

Sampling was done at three different instances: (1) right after patient discharge; (2) after standard manual cleaning; and (3) after STERISAFE PRO long cycle. This was done in order to evaluate both the efficacy of the STERISAFE PRO and classical manual cleaning. Swabs were taken at critical spots: mattress, bed frame, patient console, respirator monitor, therapy table, floor and heater.

Microbiological analysis of the sample swabs revealed two HAI-relevant microorganisms: Acinetobacter baumannii and coagulase negative staphylococci (CoNS). A. baumannii is an emerging multiresistant bacteria often involved in HAI outbreaks, while CoNS are bacteria naturally found on the skin which can provoke infections when entering the bloodstream. Considered low-virulence pathogens with low mortality rate, they are the cause of most common HAI-related infections in newborns.

The results showed a very limited effect of the manual cleaning; and in some cases, more contamination was found following this type of cleaning. The authors pointed out that cleaning tools such as cloths can be sources of environmental pollution and contribute to the spread of contamination to new areas. However, after the STERISAFE PRO cycle, all sample swabs were found sterile and no microorganisms were found on the tested surfaces.

As per the study’s authors, Disinfection of the hospital with the STERISAFE PRO device has proved to be very successful. The advantages of using the STERISAFE PRO device are that it uses no chemicals, has a low labor and usage costs, is harmless to the patients and staff, and is very easy to use. […] Each healthcare institution should establish and ensure the quality of cleaning and disinfection services, monitor global trends, and thus prevent the transmission of pathogens over surface”.

Reference 

Čamdžić A., Dedeić-Ljubović A. & Madacki-Todorović K. (2019). Using Desinfection Devices in Intensive Care Units. Acta Medica Saliniana 49 (1): 191-194

Read the full Conference paper here