Evaluation of disposable pre-impregnated wipes versus a standard two-step protocol for cleaning and disinfection of high-touch surfaces in intensive care

Aim(s)/Objective(s):Toevaluatetheeffectivenessofpre-impregnated wipesinreducingenvironmental bacterialburdenwhencompared to the current standard protocol (SP). Method(s): High-touch surfaces in a 12-bed Intensive Care Unit were cleanedanddisinfectedeitherbythedailystandardtwo-stepprotocol, application of an alcohol-based detergent Keradet (Kiehl), followed by a chlorine-based disinfectant Antisapril 2% (Angelini), or by using disposable wipes impregnated with quaternary ammonium compounds/Biguanide (Clinell Universal Wipes, GAMA). Effectiveness in reducingmicrobialburdenof hightouch near-patient surfaces was assessed by a contact plate method on five sites immediately pre- procedure and post- at 0.5, 2.5, 4.5 and 6.5 hours. The study was repeated five times over three months, sampling 11 beds for each protocol (560 sampling sites). Results: Pre-impregnated wipes demonstrated a decrease in mean TotalBacterialCount (TBC)from43to16CFU/24 cm2 (63.9%)after0.5 hours vs. a reduction from 27 to 16 CFU/24 cm2 (40.3%) for the SP. In subsequent 2.5, 4.5 and 6.5-hour tests, mean TBCs decreased respectively by 64.1%, 65.6% and 74.1% with disposable wipes, while for SP methods, TBCs showed increases of 8.3%, 20.7% and 24.3%. According to the Italian hygiene standard (ISPESL, 2009), when using pre-impregnated wipes 14 of 180 sites of sites showed TBC >50 CFU/ 24cm2 (Hygiene Failures) whereas for SP 32 of 176 sites were classed as failed (Chi squared, p<0.05). Discussion and/or Conclusion(s): Disposable wipes used on nearpatient inanimate surfaces provide a more effective alternative to the usualtwo-stepprocedures,consideringthepotentialresidualactivity