Biocide activity of microfiber mops with and without silver after contamination

ObjectiveThe purpose of the present research was to compare the residual microbial load in Solo System microfiber mops with silver and in normal microfiber mops without silver to see whether those with the silver prevent bacterial proliferation and spread more effectively during normal cleaning operations.MethodsMops with and without silver were experimentally contaminated with suspension of Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 6538. The bioburden was evaluated by a filtering procedure according to UNI EN 1174 after contamination, after washing and after different times of impregnation in an alcohol-base detergent.Results and discussionThe results obtained lead to the conclusion that silver microfiber mop was significantly more effective in reducing bacterial load despite initial high level contamination (10⁶-10⁷ CFU/50 cm²). Indeed, after low temperature washing, the bacterial load was already completely eliminated while the mop without silver still presented relatively high levels of the microorganism (approximately 10² CFU/50 cm²) even after being soaked for 8 hours in a detergent/disinfectant.     

Levels of naturally occurring microorganisms on surgical instruments after clinical use and after washing.

Surgical instruments exposed to sterile body sites should be contaminated with relatively low levels of microbial contamination or bioburden; however, few studies in the literature have determined the quantitative level and types of contamination. A study was conducted at 2 clinical sites to determine the level of microbial contamination of surgical instruments after clinical use and after washing. Quantitative assays showed that bioburden levels were in the range of 0 to 4415 colony forming units per instrument after clinical use, and 88% of the instruments had bioburden levels lower than 1000. As expected, a reduction in counts occurred after washing; however, in some cases, higher counts were found on the instruments after the washing process. Although the washing procedure is effective in reducing the microbial levels deposited on the surgical instruments during use, a recontamination process occurs that results in increased counts after washing. The low bioburden level after washing consists of predominantly vegetative microorganisms that present a relatively low challenge to sterilization and disinfection systems.     

A new hydrogen peroxide--based medical-device detergent with germicidal properties: comparison with enzymatic cleaners

BACKGROUND: The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of the cleaning and bacterial killing ability of a new non-enzyme-based formulation (killing detergent solution [KDS]) compared with commercially available enzymatic detergents that included Metrizyme (Metrex Research Division of Sybron Canada Ltd. Morrisburg, Ontario) and Gzyme (Germiphene Corp, Brantford, Ontario). KDS is a hydrogen peroxide-based detergent formulation that combines cleaning efficacy with the ability to kill microorganisms. The KDS formulation helps ensure the protection of the health care worker from infectious risk during the soaking and cleaning stages of medical device reprocessing and reduces the bioburden on devices before sterilization/disinfection. METHODS: Test organisms that included Enterococcus faecalis, Salmonella choleraesuis, Staphylococcus aureus, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa were suspended in artificial test soil (ATS-B; patent submitted), inoculated at 10(6) colonyforming units per carrier and dried overnight before detergent exposure. The ATS-B mimics the blood, protein, carbohydrate, and endotoxin levels of patient-used medical devices. Plastic lumen carriers and a flexible colonoscope were used for surface and simulated-use testing, respectively. RESULTS: The results for the microbial challenge dried onto polyvinyl chloride (PVC) carriers demonstrated that the ability of KDS to remove protein, blood, carbohydrate, and endotoxin from surface test carriers was as effective as the enzyme detergents that were evaluated. Furthermore, KDS was able to effect approximately a 5-Log(10) reduction in microbial loads with a 3-minute exposure at room temperature, whereas none of the other detergents were as effective. In simulated-use testing of a soiled colonoscope, KDS was significantly better at ensuring microbial killing compared with Gzyme and Metrizyme and was equivalent to the enzymatic detergents in cleaning ability. CONCLUSIONS: In summary the KDS has excellent microbial-killing ability in 3-minute exposures at room temperature and cleans as well as the existing enzymatic detergent formulations that were tested.     

EVOTECH<Superscript>®</Superscript> endoscope cleaner and reprocessor (ECR) simulated-use and clinical-use evaluation of cleaning efficacy

Background

The objective of this study was to perform simulated-use testing as well as a clinical study to assess the efficacy of the EVOTECH^® Endoscope Cleaner and Reprocessor (ECR) cleaning for flexible colonoscopes, duodenoscopes, gastroscopes and bronchoscopes. The main aim was to determine if the cleaning achieved using the ECR was at least equivalent to that achieved using optimal manual cleaning.

Methods

Simulated-use testing consisted of inoculating all scope channels and two surface sites with Artificial Test Soil (ATS) containing 10⁸ cfu/mL of Enterococcus faecalis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Candida albicans. Duodenoscopes, colonoscopes, and bronchoscopes (all Olympus endoscopes) were included in the simulated use testing. Each endoscope type was tested in triplicate and all channels and two surface sites were sampled for each scope. The clinical study evaluated patient-used duodenoscopes, bronchoscopes, colonoscopes, and gastroscopes (scopes used for emergency procedures were excluded) that had only a bedside flush prior to being processed in the ECR (i.e. no manual cleaning). There were 10 to 15 endoscopes evaluated post-cleaning and to ensure the entire ECR cycle was effective, 5 endoscopes were evaluated post-cleaning and post-high level disinfection. All channels and two external surface locations were sampled to evaluate the residual organic and microbial load. Effective cleaning of endoscope surfaces and channels was deemed to have been achieved if there was < 6.4 μg/cm² of residual protein, < 1.8 μg/cm² of residual hemoglobin and < 4 Log₁₀ viable bacteria/cm². Published data indicate that routine manual cleaning can achieve these endpoints so the ECR cleaning efficacy must meet or exceed these to establish that the ECR cleaning cycle could replace manual cleaning

Results

In the clinical study 75 patient-used scopes were evaluated post cleaning and 98.8% of surfaces and 99.7% of lumens met or surpassed the cleaning endpoints set for protein, hemoglobin and bioburden residuals. In the simulated-use study 100% of the Olympus colonoscopes, duodenoscopes and bronchoscopes evaluated met or surpassed the cleaning endpoints set for protein, and bioburden residuals (hemoglobin was not evaluated).

Conclusions

The ECR cleaning cycle provides an effective automated approach that ensures surfaces and channels of flexible endoscopes are adequately cleaned after having only a bedside flush but no manual cleaning. It is crucial to note that endoscopes used for emergency procedures or where reprocessing is delayed for more than one hour MUST still be manually cleaned prior to placing them in the ECR.

     

Investigation of single-use versus reusable infectious waste containers as potential sources of microbial contamination

BACKGROUND: Laws require that infectious waste be segregated from noninfectious waste. Companies certified to dispose of infectious waste offer both reusable and single-use containers. The focus of this study was to determine if there would be a microbiologic advantage to the use of one type of container over another in a burn hospital. METHODS: Monthly swab cultures were taken from the tops of >250 infectious waste containers during 2 years. Bacteria and fungi were identified. In a substudy swab cultures were taken from an area of reusable tops before and after cleaning to evaluate the efficacy of cleaning on both the number and type of microbes present. Infection rates for acute patients were compared before and after control measures were instituted to decrease microbial transfer from infectious waste containers to patients. RESULTS: Cultures taken from reusable boxes when received from the container company showed that >99% were contaminated with bacteria or fungi; most were normal environmental or skin flora, but some cultures showed microorganisms that can be potentially harmful to patients with compromised immunity. Wiping the lids with a phenolic disinfectant decreased both the total microbial load (P <.001) and the variety of microbes present (P <.001). In contrast, only 10% of the incoming single-use boxes showed any contamination. Infection rates dropped from 5.8 to 3.2 per 100 burn patients (P <.05) after the institution of cleaning and other changes made to decrease the possibility of microbial transfer from the infectious waste boxes to the patients. CONCLUSIONS: Upon delivery, significantly fewer single-use infectious waste boxes were contaminated than reusable ones (P <.001). Extra infection control measures were needed when reusable infectious waste boxes were used in areas housing patients with compromised immunity. Facilities need be aware of the possible contamination of reusable infectious waste containers with microorganisms capable of causing nosocomial infections in patients who are compromised.     

The Normal Cultivable Microflora in Upper Jejunal Fluid in Healthy Adults

Bacteriological studies of uncontaminated upper jejunal fluid were performed in 85 normal subjects. Fifty-three per cent of the samples were sterile (<10¹ CFU/ml). In 10% of the cases the total number of microorganisms exceeded 10⁵ CFU/ml. The main groups of microorganisms isolated were Streptococcus sp (‘Viridans group’), Lactobacillus sp., Veillonella parvula, Actinomyces sp., Haemophilus sp., Corynebacterium sp., and Candida albicans, each found in more than 10% of the subjects. Only the Streptococcus sp. exceeded 10⁵ CFU/ml, and enterobacteria were found in 5% of the subjects, the number not exceeding 10³ CFU/ml. No other typical members of the lower gastrointestinal tract were isolated. The number of subjects harbouring bacteria and the distribution of bacterial species were the same in both sexes and in different age groups.     

A Novel Antiseptic-Microbial Barrier Cap for CVC Hubs or Injection Ports for Prevention of CVC-Related BSI

BACKGROUND: Patients with CVCs are at continuous risk of BSI caused by microorganisms that gain access through the hub or an injection port, particularly patients with long-term IVDs where infectious organisms most often gain access intraluminally.OBJECTIVE: We report a simulation study of a novel antiseptic cap (Saralex), which when threaded onto a luer-adaptable needleless injection port allows a chlorhexidine-impregnated sponge to come into continuous contact with the membranous surface of the port. Upon removal, there is no need to swab the membrane before accessing it with a needle or needleless connector.METHODS: One hundred five needleless IV systems of three types were tested. All contain a membrane and are accessible by a luer lock mechanism. Each test port was first heavily contaminated by dipping in a suspension of > 106 CFU/mL Enterococcus faecilis, then allowing it to dry. After 24 hours, 60 contaminated ports had the antiseptic cap threaded onto the port, removing it after 10 minutes; 30 ports were disinfected conventionally with a 70% isopropyl alcohol pledgett; and 15 were contaminated but not disinfected (positive control), before access. The contaminated test ports were then accessed with a sterile syringe containing 3mL of TSB and flushed; the flush solution was captured and cultured quantitatively.RESULTS: All 15 (100%) control ports which were not disinfected before entering showed massive microbial transmission across the membrane (4,500–10,000 CFU). Of the 30 ports accessed after conventional disinfection with an alcohol pledgett, 20 (67%) showed entry of microorganisms (442–25,000 CFU). In contrast, of 60 contaminated ports entered after application of the novel antiseptic cap for 10 minutes, only 1 (1.6%) showed any microbial transmission (P<0.001).CONCLUSIONS: This study shows that if the membranous septum of a needleless port is heavily contaminated, conventional disinfection with alcohol may not reliably prevent ingress of microorganisms and CVC–related BSI. In contrast, the antiseptic cap provides a high level of protection, even in the presence of heavy contamination. This novel technology deserves to be studied in a large multi-center clinical trial.     

In vitro Assay To Assess Biofilm Adherence

BACKGROUND: Traditional microbiological methods to evaluate a medical device with antimicrobial properties are not necessarily indicative of their performance in vivo.OBJECTIVE: Researchers at Bacterin, Inc., have devised a dynamic in vitro model to examine biofilm development and assess the efficacy of anti-infective coatings on indwelling medical devices. This study explored the application of this technology on two anti-infective-coated Foley catheters.METHODS: Catheter samples, conditioned in human urine, were continually exposed to microorganisms and evaluated every 24 hours over a 7-day trial period. Clinically relevant urinary tract infection (UTI) pathogens were utilized with a daily average inoculum challenge of 10³ CFU/mL. The biofilm was developed in a one-pass flow cell bioreactor under standardized, laminar flow conditions. Six different strains for each of the six pathogens were tested in triplicate. Traditional drop plate log count enumeration techniques were utilized.RESULTS: The silicone Foley catheter with anti-infective coating exhibited a statistically significant reduction in bacterial adherence for all organisms over the 7-day challenge.CONCLUSIONS: The in vitro biofilm assay offers a reliable alternative to traditional microbiological techniques. The assay detected significant differences among anti-infective properties for each catheter tested. Six strains for each pathogen were analyzed. The anti-infective coating contained on the silicone catheter outperformed the anti-infective coating on the latex Foley catheter. Clinical trials are encouraged to confirm in vitro results.     

Impact of the modification of a cleaning and disinfection method of mechanical ventilators of COVID-19 patients and ventilator-associated pneumonia: One year of experience

BackgroundMechanical ventilators are essential biomedical devices for the respiratory support of patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection. These devices can be transmitters of bacterial pathogens. Therefore, it is necessary to implement effective disinfection procedures. The aim of this work was to show the impact of the modification of a cleaning and disinfection method of mechanical ventilators of patients with SARS-CoV-2 and ventilator-associated pneumonia.MethodsA total of 338 mechanical ventilators of patients infected with SARS-CoV-2 and ESKAPE bacteria were divided in two groups. Group A and B were subjected to cleaning and disinfection with superoxidation solution-Cl/enzymatic detergent and isopropyl alcohol, respectively. Both groups were cultured for the detection of ESKAPE bacteria. The isolates were subjected to tests for identification, resistance, adherence, and genomic typing.ResultsContamination rates of 21.6% (n = 36) were identified in group A. The inspiratory limb was the circuit involved in most cases of postdisinfection contamination. Acinetobacter baumanni, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and multi-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae were the pathogens involved in the contamination cases. The pathogens were highly adherent and in the case of A. baumanni, clonal dispersion was detected in 14 ventilators. Disinfection with enzymatic detergents allows a 100% reduction in contamination rates.ConclusionsThe implementation of cleaning and disinfection with enzymatic detergents/isopropyl alcohol of mechanical ventilators of patients with SARS-CoV-2 and ESKAPE bacteria had a positive impact on postdisinfection microbial contamination rates.     

Microbiological analysis of common preservatives used in food items and demonstration of their in vitro anti-bacterial activity

ObjectiveTo quantify the microorganisms contaminating the common preservatives used in food as well as to detect their in vitro anti-bacterial traits.MethodsA total of 9 preservatives were subjected to conventional cultural and biochemical methods for microbial enumeration. Anti-bacterial activities were demonstrated through the agar well diffusion method.ResultsAll samples were found to be contaminated with bacteria up to 10⁵ CFU/g and with the fungal flora within a range of 10¹−10² CFU/g. Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas spp. and Staphylococcus spp. were demonstrated in most of the samples. Sodium sulfite and citric acid possessed the strongest anti-bacterial trait against all of the test bacteria. Acetic acid exhibited activity against 6 out of 8 test bacteria while vinegar exhibited the activity against 4 bacteria. Activity of salt was demonstrated only against Listeria spp. and Bacillus spp., while activity of sugar and honey was found only against Escherichia coli and Klebsiella spp., respectively.ConclusionsAccording to the current investigation, sodium sulfite and citric acid samples were found to be satisfactory preservatives both in terms of microbiological criteria and their anti-bacterial traits.     

Defining lower airway bacterial infection in children with chronic endobronchial disorders

Background

Differentiating lower airway bacterial infection from possible upper airway contamination in children with endobronchial disorders undergoing bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) is important for guiding management. A diagnostic bacterial load threshold based on inflammatory markers has been determined to differentiate infection from upper airway contamination in infants with cystic fibrosis, but not for children with protracted bacterial bronchitis (PBB), chronic suppurative lung disease (CSLD), or bronchiectasis.

Methods

BAL samples from children undergoing bronchoscopy underwent quantitative bacterial culture, cytologic examination, and respiratory virus testing; a subset also had interleukin‐8 examined. Geometric means (GMs) of total cell counts (TCCs) and neutrophil counts were plotted by respiratory pathogen bacterial load. Logistic regression determined associations between age, sex, Indigenous status, antibiotic exposure, virus detection and bacterial load, and elevated TCCs (>400 × 10³ cells/mL) and airway neutrophilia (neutrophils >15% BAL leukocytes).

Results

From 2007 to 2016, 655 children with PBB, CSLD, or bronchiectasis were enrolled. In univariate analyses, Indigenous status and bacterial load ≥10⁵ colony‐forming units (CFU)/mL were positively associated with high TCCs. Viruses and bacterial load ≥10⁴ CFU/mL were positively associated with neutrophilia; negative associations were seen for Indigenous status and macrolides. In children who had not received macrolide antibiotics, bacterial load was positively associated in multivariable analyses with high TCCs at ≥10⁴ CFU/mL and with neutrophilia at ≥10⁵ CFU/mL; GMs of TCCs and neutrophil counts were significantly elevated at 10⁴ and 10⁵ CFU/mL compared to negative cultures.

Conclusions

Our findings support a BAL threshold ≥10⁴ CFU/mL to define lower airway infection in children with chronic endobronchial disorders.

     

Special precautions reduce oropharyngeal contamination in bronchoalveolar lavage for bacteriologic studies

Despite the use of quantitative culture, oropharyngeal contamination of bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) specimens is still a factor that limits the usefulness of this technique in the diagnosis of lower respiratory tract infection. To investigate whether special precautions could reduce contamination, 20 noninfected patients undergoing diagnostic bronchoscopy were randomized into 2 groups of 10 patients: BAL was performed routinely in group R and with special precautions in group P. These precautions consisted of giving topical lidocaine by inhalation rather than by bolus injection, and passing the bronchoscope used for BAL through a previously inserted endotracheal tube. Quantitative culture of BAL specimens showed that 5 patients in group R (50%), but none of the patients in group P (0%), had at least 1 organism recovered in concentrations ≥10⁴ colony-forming units CFU/ml (p=0.016). Fifteen of 39 isolates (38.5%) in group R and none of 18 isolates in group P (0%) were present in concentration ≥10⁴ CFU/ml (p=0.001). We conclude that oropharyngeal contamination of BAL specimens can be minimized by adopting special precautions during the procedure and by using quantitative culture with 10⁴ CFU/ml as the cut-off point. This may increase the specificity of the technique in the diagnosis of lower respiratory tract infection without reducing its sensitivity.     

Bacterial Contamination of Spacer Devices Used by Asthmatic Children

Objectives. To investigate bacterial contamination in spacer devices used by asthmatic children and the device maintenance procedures practiced by parents. Methods. Spacer devices used by 62 asthmatic children were examined. Swabs taken from the inner surface of the reservoirs and face masks were cultured. Parents were interviewed regarding their spacer cleaning and disinfection routines. Results. Bacterial contamination was noted in 22 reservoirs (35.5%) and 16 masks (25.8%). Pseudomonas aeruginosa was isolated from 21.0% of the reservoirs and 14.5% of the face masks, Klebsiella pneumoniae from 6.5% and 4.8%, and Staphylococcus aureus from 9.7% and 8.1%, respectively. Only 34 parents (54.8%) reported that they received cleaning and maintenance instructions from the medical staff at initiation of spacer use by their child, and only 38 (61.8%) cleaned the device after each use. Conclusion. Bacterial contamination is common in spacer devices. This study demonstrates that contamination rates are significantly lower when parents clean and actually dry (preferably with an air blower) spacer devices after each use. Spacer device maintenance should be emphasized in education programs for managing asthma.     

Bacteriological safety of plastic–bagged sachet drinking water sold in Amassoma,Nigeria

ObjectiveTo evaluate the bacteriological safety of sachet water sold in Amassoma, a rural community in Bayelsa State, Nigeria.MethodsSix samples of each of the different sachet drinking water brands were bought at random from shop shelves, markets and street vendors and were studies for microbial indicators of safety and quality. Bacterial counts were analyzed by one-way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) and significance of differences was tested at 5% probability.ResultsMinimum and maximum counts with regard to the sachet water samples investigated were (4.3±1.1)×10⁶ CFU mL^?1 and (8.2±1.0) ×10⁶ CFU mL^?1 for heterotrophic plate counts; (0.9± 0.3) ×10⁶ CFU mL^?1 and (1.2± 0.4) ×10⁶ CFU mL^?1 for aerobic spore-former counts; (1.3±0.5) ×10³ CFU mL^?1 and (2.5± 0.8)×10³ CFU mL^?1 for total coliforms; (1.6±0.9) ×10³ CFU mL^?1 and (9.5±11.2)×10³ CFU mL^?1 for thermotolerant coliforms. Klebsiella spp but not Escherichia coli was present in all samples of the brands; non-coliform bacteria detected in some samples were Staphylococcus, Pseudomonas and Bacillus species.ConclusionsThe brands of sachet water sold (at the time of this study) in Amassoma did not meet the minimum acceptable standard for microbiologically safe drinking water as recommended by the World Health Organization.     

A single-cell view on the ecophysiology of anaerobic phototrophic bacteria

Quantitative information on the ecophysiology of individual microorganisms is generally limited because it is difficult to assign specific metabolic activities to identified single cells. Here, we develop and apply a method, Halogen In Situ Hybridization-Secondary Ion Mass Spectroscopy (HISH-SIMS), and show that it allows simultaneous phylogenetic identification and quantitation of metabolic activities of single microbial cells in the environment. Using HISH-SIMS, individual cells of the anaerobic, phototropic bacteria Chromatium okenii, Lamprocystis purpurea, and Chlorobium clathratiforme inhabiting the oligotrophic, meromictic Lake Cadagno were analyzed with respect to H¹³CO₃⁻ and ¹⁵NH₄⁺ assimilation. Metabolic rates were found to vary greatly between individual cells of the same species, showing that microbial populations in the environment are heterogeneous, being comprised of physiologically distinct individuals. Furthermore, C. okenii, the least abundant species representing ≈0.3% of the total cell number, contributed more than 40% of the total uptake of ammonium and 70% of the total uptake of carbon in the system, thereby emphasizing that numerically inconspicuous microbes can play a significant role in the nitrogen and carbon cycles in the environment. By introducing this quantification method for the ecophysiological roles of individual cells, our study opens a variety of possibilities of research in environmental microbiology, especially by increasing the ability to examine the ecophysiological roles of individual cells, including those of less abundant and less active microbes, and by the capacity to track not only nitrogen and carbon but also phosphorus, sulfur, and other biological element flows within microbial communities.     

Autologous transplant: microbial contamination of hematopoietic stem cell products

Hematopoietic progenitor cells from peripheral blood (HPCPB) are commonly used for autologous and allogenic transplants in patients with most various onco-hematological diseases, and despite the utilization of sterile techniques during collection and processing of these products, bacterial contamination can occur. This study aimed to investigate the microbial contamination of HPCPB products. Microbial cultures of 837 HPCPB products between the year 2000 and 2009 were retrospectively analyzed to determine the incidence of culture positivity and identify the main organisms that cause contamination. The microbiological studies were performed with an automated system (BacT/Alert^® bioMérieux Corporate). Thirty-six (4.3%) of 837 microbial cultures were contaminated. Coagulase-negative Staphylococcus was the most frequent bacteria isolated from HPCPB products (20 [56%] of the 36 positive microbial cultures). Considering the 36 contaminated samples, 22 HPCPB products were infused and 14 discarded. Pre- and post-infusion antibiotic therapy of the patients transfused with contaminated products was established based on the isolated microorganism and its antibiogram. Microbial contamination rate of HPCPB products was low. Clinically significant outcomes after infusion of contaminated HPCPB products were not observed.     

Bacterial diversity of hospital water tanks and the efficacy of hydrogen peroxide based cleaning: Experience in a tertiary care center in India

BackgroundHospital water is often an overlooked yet preventable source of hospital-acquired infections. CDC recommends annual cleaning of water reservoirs in health care settings. In our tertiary care hospital, periodic disinfection and microbiological surveillance of all the water tanks in hospital premises is carried out. The aim of this paper is to report the diversity of bacterial flora noted and the role of cleaning method adopted in our hospital.MethodsThis retrospective study was carried out from July 2015 to September 2020. Tanks were cleaned using hydrogen peroxide based method and swabs were collected, pre- and post-cleaning. Any growth noted was identified using MALDI-TOF MS.ResultsA total of 398 swabs were collected during this period. In pre-cleaning samples, 144 (72%) showed growth of 219 microorganisms. Gram-negative organisms (53.7%, 116/216) were more frequently isolated than Gram-positive organisms (46.3%, 100/216). Although the overwhelming majority is generally regarded as non-pathogenic, a few pathogenic bacteria were also recovered. No bacteria were isolated in any of the post-cleaning samples.ConclusionsDiverse bacteria colonize water tanks over time, some of which are known to cause infections. Hydrogen peroxide is a simple and highly efficacious method of water tank disinfection. More such studies are required with other disinfectants to generate evidence with the ultimate aim of increasing safety of water supplied in hospitals.     

Bacterial contamination of the smartphones of healthcare workers in a German tertiary-care hospital before and during the COVID-19 pandemic

BackgroundAssuming that hygiene measures have improved significantly due to COVID-19, we aimed to investigate bacterial colonization on smartphones (SPs) owned by healthcare workers (HCWs) before and during the pandemic.MethodsEmploying a before-and-after study design, randomly selected HCWs were included. Devices underwent sampling under real-life conditions, without prior manipulation. Swabs were collected in 2012 (pre-pandemic) and 2021 to determine microbial colonization. Isolates were identified by MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry and underwent microbiological susceptibility testing.ResultsThe final analysis included 295 HCWs (67% female, mean age 34 years) from 26 wards. Bacterial contamination was present on 293 of 295 SP screens (99.3%). The proportion of clinically relevant bacterial pathogens (eg Staphylococcus aureus, enterococci, Enterobacterales, non-fermenting bacteria) ranged from 21.2% in 2012 to 39.8% in 2021. Resistance profiles revealed a proportion of multidrug-resistant bacteria such as MRSA and VRE of less than 2%. The comparison of before-and-after sampling showed a significant increase in smartphone use during work from 2012 to 2021 with a simultaneous increase in cleaning intensity, probably as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.ConclusionsBacterial contamination of SPs within the hospital is of concern and can serve as a source of cross-contamination. Hence, in addition to excellent hand hygiene, SPs must be carefully disinfected after handling in healthcare. Behavioral changes related to the COVID-19 pandemic could have a significant impact if implemented sustainably in everyday clinical practice.     

Microbial contamination of hospital bed handsets

BACKGROUND: Hospital bed handsets, including nurse call equipment and television controls, have been found to contain biologic material and may be contaminated with microbes. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to assess the microbial contamination of hospital bed handsets. METHODS: Hospital bed handsets were removed from 115 randomly chosen rooms in a suburban hospital. The handsets were transported to the laboratory in a sterile fashion and opened using a sterile technique, and cultures were obtained from both the anterior and posterior surfaces of the units. RESULTS: The cultures of 12 units (10.4%) revealed no microorganisms. One hundred three units (89.6%) had cultures that grew microorganisms. Of the handsets that were found to contain microorganisms, 48 units (46.6%) had only 1 microorganism, and 55 units (53.4%) had multiple organisms, including 33 units (32.0%) with 2 microorganisms, 21 units (20.4%) with 3 microorganisms, and 1 unit (1.0%) with 4 microorganisms. The microorganisms identified included 90 isolates (87.4%) of coagulase-negative staphylococcus, 51 isolates (49.5%) of bacillus species, 13 isolates (12.6%) of fungal species, 8 isolates (7.8%) of nonhemolytic streptococcus species, 7 isolates (6.8%) of alpha-hemolytic streptococcus species, 1 isolate (1.0%) of Staphylococcus aureus, and 1 isolate (1.0%) of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. CONCLUSION: Hospital bed handsets were found to have a high incidence of contamination with bacteria and fungus and were found to contain organisms that are known to be the etiologic agents in nosocomial infections. Because of the frequency and duration of contact between hospital patients and hospital bed handsets, existing infection control measures should be studied that could reduce the level of contamination of such handsets or that could isolate the handsets from the patient.