Study on the effectiveness of disinfection with wipes against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and implications for hospital hygiene

Ka Lam CHENG, Maureen Valerie BOOST, Wai Yee Joanne CHUNG

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23 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Background: Environmental contamination with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) poses a significant risk in the epidemiology of infection. This study aimed to assess the effectiveness of disinfection in clinical areas by assessment of the wiperinse method to MRSA in the immediate patient environment, on both the bed rails and the cleaning wipes. Methods: The environmental disinfection procedures of 8 MRSA-positive hospitalized patients in 2 orthopedic wards were evaluated. A total of 56 pre- and postdisinfection samples from the bed rails as well as pre- and postuse wipes samples were collected. Results: The average MRSA loads on the bed rails before and after disinfections were 4.4 colony-forming units (cfu)/cm² and 0.4 cfu/cm², respectively, the process reducing MRSA survival from a mean of 20.70 log to 21.65 log. The mean difference of MRSA survival detected on the wipes after each wiping ranged from 0.13 to 0.42 log. Conclusion: The presence of MRSA in the proximity of the patient, ie, the bed rails as well as the cleaning tool (the wipe), was demonstrated in this study. If thorough rinsing was not conducted between wiping, bacteria accumulated on the wipes, which can result in cross transmission. Copyright © 2011 by the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology, Inc.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)577-580
JournalAmerican Journal of Infection Control
Volume39
Issue number7
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Sept 2011

Citation

Cheng, K. L., Boost, M. V., & Chung, J. W. Y. (2011). Study on the effectiveness of disinfection with wipes against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and implications for hospital hygiene. American Journal of Infection Control, 39(7), 577-580.

Keywords

  • Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus
  • MRSA
  • Hospital
  • Wipes

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