This article is more than 5 years old. Information may no longer be current.
MDROs found in ICU workstations
Click Here to Manage Email Alerts
Most multidrug-resistant organisms in an ICU were found on high-touch objects in clinical workstations that did not require strict cleaning protocols, according to recent findings published in the American Journal of Infection Control.
“A lack of cleaning in the clinical workspace, which is distant from the direct patient surroundings, may allow biofilm development without mitigation,” researchers wrote. “This opens the potential for [multidrug-resistant organisms (MDRO)] to move seamlessly between residential biofilm locations either close to or away from the patient.”
For the pilot study, Australian researchers conducted microbial testing on environmental swabs from high-touch objects in patients’ bedrooms and clinical workstations. The samples were incubated for 24 hours and tested for the presence of MRSA, vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) and multidrug-resistant gram-negative bacteria. The samples also underwent adenosine triphosphate testing (ATP) using the Kikkoman ATP device with Lucipak-Pen swabs (Foodcare Systems) and the Hygiena ATP device with Ultrasnap swabs (Key Diagnostics).
Combined ATP testing confirmed that nine of 13 MDROs were recovered from objects in clinical workstations, including clipboards, telephones, crash carts, computer keyboards and a computer mouse.
“The transfer of these MDROs away from the patient area and throughout the ICU is thought to occur largely via unwashed hands and gloved hands,” the investigators wrote.
They also found that ATP testing was more likely to identify MDROs compared with microbial testing alone (33.3% vs. 4.3%). They further determined the Kikkoman device had a higher reading range compared with the Hygiena device (378-2,833 relative light units [RLU] vs. 3-260 RLU) for detecting MDRO-positive locations.
“The findings of this study suggest the need to review the hygiene standards adopted in the clinical workspace, away from the immediate patient zones in busy ICUs, and indicate that ATP testing may help identify [high-touch areas] with less than optimal cleanliness,” the researchers concluded. – by Stephanie Viguers
Disclosure: The researchers report no relevant financial disclosures.
Click Here to Manage Email Alerts