An audit of cleaning effectiveness using adenosine triphosphate (ATP) bioluminescence assay following outbreaks of infection

Bellamy, Elaine

doi:10.1177/1757177412455835

Cited by 9 publications

(7 citation statements)

References 11 publications

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“…A correlation between RLU and colony forming units (CFU) has been reported previously [15] , [17] – [22] . In some studies, ATP meters have not been examined for their correlation with the actual microbial count, and have only reported RLU values as a measure of surface cleanliness [16] , [17] , [23] . Other studies suggest a loose correlation between the RLU values and the actual counts [1] .…”

Section: Discussion and Concluding Remarksmentioning

confidence: 99%

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How Reliable Are ATP Bioluminescence Meters in Assessing Decontamination of Environmental Surfaces in Healthcare Settings?

2014

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BackgroundMeters based on adenosine triphosphate (ATP) bioluminescence measurements in relative light units (RLU) are often used to rapidly assess the level of cleanliness of environmental surfaces in healthcare and other settings. Can such ATP measurements be adversely affected by factors such as soil and cleaner-disinfectant chemistry?ObjectiveThis study tested a number of leading ATP meters for their sensitivity, linearity of the measurements, correlation of the readings to the actual microbial contamination, and the potential disinfectant chemicals’ interference in their readings.MethodsFirst, solutions of pure ATP in various concentrations were used to construct a standard curve and determine linearity and sensitivity. Serial dilutions of a broth culture of Staphylococcus aureus, as a representative nosocomial pathogen, were then used to determine if a given meter’s ATP readings correlated with the actual CFUs. Next, various types of disinfectant chemistries were tested for their potential to interfere with the standard ATP readings.ResultsAll four ATP meters tested herein demonstrated acceptable linearity and repeatability in their readings. However, there were significant differences in their sensitivity to detect the levels of viable microorganisms on experimentally contaminated surfaces. Further, most disinfectant chemistries tested here quenched the ATP readings variably in different ATP meters evaluated.ConclusionsApart from their limited sensitivity in detecting low levels of microbial contamination, the ATP meters tested were also prone to interference by different disinfectant chemistries.

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Section: Discussion and Concluding Remarksmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…ATP bioluminescence meters, which measure the concentration of ATP as relative light units (RTU) in organic material and living cells [16] , are widely used in food and beverage industries because of their ease of use and fast turn-around of results. Such meters are increasingly being used in healthcare facilities as well.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

How Reliable Are ATP Bioluminescence Meters in Assessing Decontamination of Environmental Surfaces in Healthcare Settings?

2014

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“…However, although the appearance of the environment in terms of maintenance, housekeeping, and design can be assessed visually, the cleanliness of the environment cannot. Visual assessment is a poor indicator of cleaning efficacy, 2,3 and although some hospitals have used adenosine triphosphate bioluminescence 4,5 or a fluorescent marker 6 to assess the effectiveness of cleaning protocols, the cleaning programs themselves are usually not evidence based. 7 Emphasis is traditionally placed on the frequent and thorough cleaning of those sites with which staff and patients have frequent contact.…”

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confidence: 99%

The Type, Level, and Distribution of Microorganisms within the Ward Environment: A Zonal Analysis of an Intensive Care Unit and a Gastrointestinal Surgical Ward

Moore

Muzslay

Wilson

2013

Infect. Control Hosp. Epidemiol.

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OBJECTIVE. To investigate the distribution of hospital pathogens within general and critical care ward environments and to determine the most significant bacterial reservoirs within each ward type. DESIGN. Prospective 4-month microbiological survey. SETTING. The intensive care unit (ICU) and gastrointestinal (GI) surgical ward of a London teaching hospital. PATIENTS. Sampling was conducted in and around the bed space of 166 different patients (99 in the ICU and 67 in the GI ward). METHODS. Conventional agar contact methodology was used to sample 123 predetermined sites twice a week for 17 weeks. Sixty-one surfaces were located within the ICU, and 62 were located within the GI ward. Each surface was located within a theoretical zone of increasing distance from the patient. Aerobic colony counts were determined, and confirmatory testing was conducted on all presumptive pathogens. RESULTS. Regardless of ward type, surfaces located closest to the patient, specifically those associated with the bed (side rails, bed control, and call button), were the most heavily contaminated. Elsewhere, the type of surfaces contaminated differed with ward type. In the ICU, bacteria were most likely to be on surfaces that were regularly touched by healthcare workers (e.g., telephones and computer keyboards). In the GI ward, where the patients were mobile, the highest numbers of bacteria (including potential nosocomial pathogens) were on surfaces that were mainly touched by patients, particularly their toilet and shower facilities. CONCLUSIONS. In terms of cleaning, a hospital should not be considered a single entity. Different ward types should be treated as separate environments, and cleaning protocols should be adjusted accordingly.

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“…The total viable count and ATP concentration was determined after a cleaning step, which utilised 3% sodium hypochlorite. ATP bioluminescence measures the concentration of ATP present on a sample as relative light units and is widely used in the food and beverage industries due to its ease of use and fast turnaround times [ 44 , 55 ]. The PTFE surface without a blood conditioning film, which was cleaned with 3% sodium hypochlorite, retained the smallest number of bacterial colonies (no bacterial colonies were observed).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Influence of Surface Topography and Wettability on Escherichia coli Removal from Polymeric Materials in the Presence of a Blood Conditioning Film

Akhidime

Slate

Hulme

et al. 2020

IJERPH

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The reduction of biofouling and the reduction of cross-contamination in the food industry are important aspects of safety management systems. Polymeric surfaces are used extensively throughout the food production industry and therefore ensuring that effective cleaning regimes are conducted is vital. Throughout this study, the influence of the surface characteristics of three different polymeric surfaces, polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) and polyethylene terephthalate (PET), on the removal of Escherichia coli using a wipe clean method utilising 3% sodium hypochlorite was determined. The PTFE surfaces were the roughest and demonstrated the least wettable surface (118.8°), followed by the PMMA (75.2°) and PET surfaces (53.9°). Following cleaning with a 3% sodium hypochlorite solution, bacteria were completely removed from the PTFE surfaces, whilst the PMMA and PET surfaces still had high numbers of bacteria recovered (1.2 × 107 CFU/mL and 6.3 × 107 CFU/mL, respectively). When bacterial suspensions were applied to the surfaces in the presence of a blood conditioning film, cleaning with sodium hypochlorite demonstrated that no bacteria were recovered from the PMMA surface. However, on both the PTFE and PET surfaces, bacteria were recovered at lower concentrations (2.0 × 102 CFU/mL and 1.3 × 103 CFU/mL, respectively). ATP bioluminescence results demonstrated significantly different ATP concentrations on the surfaces when soiled (PTFE: 132 relative light units (RLU), PMMA: 80 RLU and PET: 99 RLU). Following cleaning, both in the presence and absence of a blood conditioning film, all the surfaces were considered clean, producing ATP concentrations in the range of 0–2 RLU. The results generated in this study demonstrated that the presence of a blood conditioning film significantly altered the removal of bacteria from the polymeric surfaces following a standard cleaning regime. Conditioning films which represent the environment where the surface is intended to be used should be a vital part of the test regime to ensure an effective disinfection process.

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An audit of cleaning effectiveness using adenosine triphosphate (ATP) bioluminescence assay following outbreaks of infection

Cited by 9 publications

References 11 publications

How Reliable Are ATP Bioluminescence Meters in Assessing Decontamination of Environmental Surfaces in Healthcare Settings?

How Reliable Are ATP Bioluminescence Meters in Assessing Decontamination of Environmental Surfaces in Healthcare Settings?

The Type, Level, and Distribution of Microorganisms within the Ward Environment: A Zonal Analysis of an Intensive Care Unit and a Gastrointestinal Surgical Ward

The Influence of Surface Topography and Wettability on Escherichia coli Removal from Polymeric Materials in the Presence of a Blood Conditioning Film

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