Persistent Bactericidal Action by a Silver Disinfectant on Surfaces of Hospital Furniture.

Aims: In hospitals, surfaces are often colonized by potentially pathogenic micro organisms which can remain alive for long periods of time, thus playing a major role in hospitalacquired infections. One way to overcome this drawback could be to use disinfectants with long-term action. Recent studies have shown that not only do disinfectants containing silver present an immediate effect, reducing the surface bacterial load, but that this action also appears persistent in time. This work assesses the bactericidal activity of a long-lasting disinfectant complex composed of silicon oxide, silver ions and a cationic surfactant (BACTERCLINE ENERGY BLAST) applied on the surfaces of two surgery ward rooms and left in place for different amounts of time (15 min and 72 hours). Study Design: An experimental study. Place and Duration of Study: The investigation was carried out in two rooms of a surgical ward at the Villa Erbosa health care facility in Bologna (Italy) over a period of seven weeks. Methodology: The samples were taken using contact plates (diameter: 24 cm2) containing an adequate agar culture medium (Tryptic Soy Agar). After incubation at the temperature of 36±1ºC for 24 and 48h, the number of colonies was counted and the statistical analysis of results was performed. Results: The product was able to achieve a high degree of decontamination (around 90%) immediately after application and that, after 72 hours, decontamination remained at about 55%. The results are statistically significant. Conclusion: It may be concluded that the tested product could be profitably used to decontaminate surfaces in hospital wards.

Use of a Steam Generator for Disinfection of Hospital Ward Room Surfaces.

Objectives: The present work examines the ability of a method — based on saturated overheated dry steam — to decontaminate surfaces in patient rooms in a surgery ward. Study Design: An experimental study. Place and Duration of Study: The investigation was carried out in two rooms of a surgical ward at the Villa Erbosa health care facility in Bologna (Italy) over a period of three weeks. Methodology: Samples, using 24 cm diameter contact plates containing an agar-base medium, were taken before and after steam decontamination obtained using a professional steam generator. Results: After steam treatment, the number of CFU (colony forming unit) present on the surfaces analyzed was reduced by 88.41%. Conclusion: These results are significant and indicate that the use of steam provides good results in terms of decontamination of the surfaces in ward rooms. Furthermore steam not leaves residues that could be the source of subsequent chemical contamination of the surfaces.