Enhanced disinfection with hybrid hydrogen peroxide fogging in a critical care setting

Abstract

Background Environmental contamination contributes to hospital associated infections, particularly those caused by multi-drug resistant organisms (MDRO). This study investigated bioburden presence on surfaces in a critical care center’s patient rooms following typical environmental services (EVS) practices and following intervention with hybrid hydrogen peroxide™ (HHP™) fogging. Methods Upon patient discharge, following standard cleaning or cleaning with ultraviolet (UV) light use, patient rooms were sampled by swabbing for adenosine triphosphate (ATP) and aerobic colony counts (ACC) from five preset locations. Rooms were then fogged via HHP technology using chemical indicators and Geobacillus stearothermophilus biological indicators for sporicidal validation monitoring. Following fogging, rooms were sampled again, and results were compared. Results A 98% reduction in ACC was observed after fogging as compared to post EVS practices both with and without UV light use. No statistical difference was seen when comparing cleaning to cleaning with UV light use. Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa were identified following EVS practices and not detected following HHP fogging. ATP samples were reduced 88% by fogging application. Chemical and biological indicators confirmed correct application of HHP fogging, as seen through its achievement of a 6-log reduction of bacterial spores. Conclusion HHP fogging is a thorough and efficacious technology which, when applied to critical care patient rooms, significantly reduces bioburden on surfaces, indicating potential benefits for implementation as part of infection prevention measures.

Prevention and control of hospital-acquired infections with multidrug-resistant organism: A review

“…The VHP approach is not mentioned. Khandelwal et al [31] investigated the effectiveness of a device utilizing a 7% HP solution for disinfection in intensive care wards. In comparison to manual cleaning, an aHP device reduced aerobic colony counts in the environment by 98% after a 42-minute operation.…”

Use of Hydrogen Peroxide Vapour for Microbiological Disinfection in Hospital Environments: A Review

“…HPV as a decontaminant provides an effective and practical method for reducing the environmental load of microorganisms resistant to several antibiotics, such as MRSA and VRE. Studies [ 66 , 67 ] have shown that HPV may significantly decrease the number of these bacteria on various hospital surfaces, thereby lowering the risk of healthcare-associated illnesses (HAIs). Khandelwal et al [ 66 ] conducted a study in a critical care setting and found that hybrid hydrogen peroxide fogging could lower the bacterial counts on crucial surfaces, implying that this strategy is more effective than regular cleaning practices and ultraviolet light use in removing MDROs.…”

“…Studies [ 66 , 67 ] have shown that HPV may significantly decrease the number of these bacteria on various hospital surfaces, thereby lowering the risk of healthcare-associated illnesses (HAIs). Khandelwal et al [ 66 ] conducted a study in a critical care setting and found that hybrid hydrogen peroxide fogging could lower the bacterial counts on crucial surfaces, implying that this strategy is more effective than regular cleaning practices and ultraviolet light use in removing MDROs. Furthermore, a comprehensive review and meta-analysis by Marra et al [ 67 ] confirmed the efficacy of no-touch disinfection technologies like HPV, revealing a statistically significant reduction in infections caused by particular MDROs such as C. difficile and VRE.…”

Luminescent Analysis of ATP: Modern Objects and Processes for Sensing

“…Disinfection with hybrid hydrogen peroxide (HHP) fogging in a critical care setting [9] Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa with resistance to methicillin ATP bioluminescent sensing and microbial traditional method showed that HHP fogging provides up to 98% of bacterial removal from various surfaces in hospital rooms without use of UV light.…”

“…This method of analysis's application to detect the presence of various microorganisms is interesting and diverse, and it should be noted in the field of sanitary control of various objects. Here, ATP sensing is used to analyze various surfaces in hospitals and places intended for short-term stay of patients [4,5,9,10,14,15], surfaces of instruments used for examination and treatments of patients [7,8,11,12], and also as tools and places for slicing and cooking of food products [19,20], where sanitation is important for human health. The express analysis in real time and sensitivity of the bioluminescent determination of ATP, as well as the amount of total information obtained, make it possible to assess the degree of contamination by microbial cells from different points of examination, identify the main sites of cell pollutions and monitor the effectiveness of methods and reagents used for sanitary treatment.…”