Performance of ultramicrofibre cleaning technology with or without addition of a novel copper-based biocide

Area of Science:

• Microbiology
• Infection Control
• Environmental Hygiene

Background:

• Hospital-acquired infections remain a significant concern.
• Effective surface disinfection is crucial for preventing pathogen transmission.
• Ultramicrofibre cloths and mops (UMF) are widely used for cleaning, but their efficacy can be enhanced.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare the bacterial removal efficacy of UMF moistened with water versus a novel copper-based biocide (CuWB50).
• To evaluate the direct and residual antibacterial effects of CuWB50 in real-world hospital settings.
• To assess the microbiological cleaning performance in accident and emergency (A&E) and other hospital wards.

Main Methods:

• A 7-week cross-over study was conducted in four hospital wards (A&E and three others).
• Total viable bacterial counts (TVC) were measured at 13 sites per ward before and after cleaning with UMF+water or UMF+CuWB50 (300ppm).
• Multivariate statistical analyses were employed to assess differences and control for confounders.

Main Results:

• Cleaning with UMF+water reduced TVC by 30%.
• Cleaning with UMF+CuWB50 reduced TVC by 56%.
• CuWB50 demonstrated both immediate and residual antibacterial effects lasting up to 2 weeks, though persistence requires regular application.

Conclusions:

• UMF cleaning is effective in reducing bacterial load in hospitals.
• The addition of CuWB50 significantly enhances the antibacterial performance of UMF.
• This enhanced cleaning strategy shows promise for improving hospital hygiene and infection control.