The Journal of Hospital Infection - Supplement 1

Results:

The Markwik21 tap was effectively decontaminated in a

compliant thermal washer disinfector. An acceptable reduction in

P. aeruginosa

was achieved, i.e. >5 log

Discussion and/or Conclusion(s):

Testing demonstrated that this tap

assembly can be effectively decontaminated in aWD. The advantage of

such processing is that cleaning is part of the WD cycle, assisting in the

removal of biofilm. Further studies are planned to support the use of

this tap in clinical areas.

ID: 4761

Sorting fact from fiction with ATP testing

–

a new algorithm for

improved sampling in cleanliness measurement using ATP testing

Greg S. Whiteley

1,2

, Trevor Glasbey

Western Sydney University,

Western Sydney University & Whiteley Corporation,

Whiteley

Corporation & Macquarie University

Background:

Rapid testing for Adenosine Triphosphate (ATP) is

becoming a commonly used method for quantitative assessment of

surface or device cleanliness. ATP testing is easy to use, is a broad

measure of cellular contamination, and provides a real time alternative

to visual inspection.

However, ATP testing is subject to variability problems that affect the

interpretation and usefulness of the results. This variability includes

inherent variability arising fromdevice performance issues that causes

imprecision and difficulties with the limits of quantitation.

Aim(s)/Objective(s):

To improve the validity of cleanliness measure-

ments using ATP testing.

Method(s):

A series of experiments has defined the dynamic range of

several available ATP testing systems. The performance characteristics

indicated both imprecision (due to variability), limits of detection

and limits of quantitation for the devices tested. Statistical methods

were applied in the development of a new sampling algorithm to

overcome the risks of variability in practical ATP testing.

The sampling algorithm uses a three tiered, brand specific cleanliness

thresholds and a cleanliness verification step to ensure that surface

cleanliness is verified using a validated cleaning method based on

existing aseptic techniques.

Results:

The results of the algorithm have indicated that the method

is easy to use and provides the user a quantified, more accurate

measurement of the real cleanliness status of surfaces and devices.

Discussion and/or Conclusion(s):

The results indicate that this new

ATP sampling algorithm mitigates the inherent variability and can be

used in applications including cleanliness monitoring of environmen-

tal surfaces and medical devices.

This has important implications for improving cleanliness monitoring

using ATP testing.

ID: 4770

Decontamination of general medical ward facilities with UV-C rays

during construction in Royal Lancaster Infirmary

Vanda Plecko, Monika Pasztor, Peter Burkhart.

University Hospitals of

Morecambe Bay NHS Trust

Background:

Outbreaks of invasive aspergillosis have been connected

with on-going building works in hospitals. Moreover, during con-

struction there is possibility to have increase in the numbers of the

other opportunistic microorganisms besides Aspergillus. Reduction

of overall bioburden in the patient environment and on patient

equipment is linked with reducing the risks for hospital acquired

infections. Ultra-V system (Hygiene Solutions) utilises UV-C rays to

rapidly inactivate DNA with no ventilation restrictions or vapour-

impermeable requirements.

Aim(s)/Objective(s):

Aim of this project was to evaluate indicative

‘

snapshot

’

of environmental and air contamination before and after

UV-C decontamination during the ongoing construction on a general

medical word in Royal Lancaster Infirmary.

Method(s):

In total 13 rooms were tested. Testing included total viable

count (TVC) sampling before and after UV decontamination. Air

sampling with Merck air sampler was performed for all tested rooms

before decontamination, immediately after (8

–

20 hours) and week

after. Total fungal and bacterial counts in the air were determined.

Results:

TVC showed reduction from 73.3 to 1.7 which was obtained

after the decontamination. The highest TVC levels were recorded for

toilet roll holders, bin lids and sinks. Air samples showed highly

variable numbers of different moulds with dominating Penicillium

and other less virulent moulds with evidence of reduction following

decontamination.

Discussion and/or Conclusion(s):

UV-C decontamination achieved a

significant level of reduction of microorganisms detected on the

surfaces. Lower environmental contamination minimises the risks for

infection during construction and improves patient

’

s safety.

ID: 4819

Influence of copper and its alloys against resistant strains of

coagulase-negative staphylococci isolated from touch surfaces of

Polish hospital units

Anna Różańska, Agnieszka Chmielarczyk, Dorota Romaniszyn,

gorzata Bulanda.

Jagiellonian University Medical College

Background:

Coagulase-negative staphylococci (CNS) are the pre-

dominant contaminant flora of the Polish hospital environment.

Aim(s)/Objective(s):

The objective of the study was to evaluate the

antimicrobial properties of copper and selected copper alloys, against

CNS highly resistant to antibiotics, isolated from touch surfaces of

Polish hospital units.

Method(s):

Modification of

Japanese standard

–

a method for testing

antimicrobial properties of surfaces made of non-porous materials

was used in the study. Assessment of antimicrobial properties was

performed on copper alloys: CuZn37, CuSn6, CuNi12Zn24 and Cu-ETP

as positive control and stainless steel as negative control. Bacterial

strains used in the study were:

Staphylococcus haemolyticus

and

Staphylococcus epidermidis

–

strains resistant to beta-lactam anti-

biotics, aminoglycosides, fluoroquinolones, clindamycin, erythro-

mycin and trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole vs. strains of these

species forming a biofilm and, for comparison

–

Stapylococcus aureus

Results:

The strongest antimicrobial properties against the tested

strains were found for pure copper

–

total elimination of bacteria from

the level of 10

CFU/mL was observed after approximately 180 min.

A faster total reduction of the density of bacterial suspension was

also observed in case of SA comparing to CNS strains. Effectiveness

comparable to that of pure copper was demonstrated for tin bronze

(CuSn6).

Discussion and/or Conclusion(s):

The results demonstrated that

copper alloy materials exhibit strong antimicrobial properties against

the study strains. It means that the use of equipment made of materials

with antimicrobial properties can help to limit the spread of antibiotic

resistance genes in the hospital environment.

The work was carried out in the framework of the NCBiR project PBS3/

A9/32/2015.

ID: 4830

Universal decolonization of MRSA carriers is a successful strategy

Pascal De Waegemaeker, Raina Ablorh, Els De Brabandere,

Jerina Boelens, Isabel Leroux-Roels.

Ghent University Hospital

Background:

Reports on decolonization of MRSA carriers have shown

a low success rate in patients colonized in multiple positive sites and/

or with risk factors (intravenous lines, indwelling catheters, wounds).

Aim(s)/Objective(s):

We wanted to evaluate whether it is useful to

perform a decolonization attempt in these patients, to promote

universal rather than targeted decolonization in our center.

Method(s):

From October 2012 to May 2016, all MRSA carriers were

decolonized using a 5 day treatment protocol including chlorhexidine

body and mouth wash, and mupirocine nasal ointment. Data were

collected on the extent of colonization (nose, throat, perineumor other

sites) and on other risk factors that could influence the outcome.

Control screening samples were taken after at least 5 days of com-

pletion of the protocol.

Abstracts of FIS/HIS 2016

–

Poster Presentations / Journal of Hospital Infection 94S1 (2016) S24

–

S134

S65