Environmental contamination by multidrug-resistant microorganisms after daily cleaning

Area of Science:

• Infection Control
• Microbiology
• Healthcare Epidemiology

Background:

• Intensive care units (ICUs) are prone to the spread of multidrug-resistant organisms (MDROs).
• Effective cleaning protocols are crucial to prevent healthcare-associated infections.
• Patient rooms can act as reservoirs for persistent microbial contamination.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the prevalence of MDRO contamination on high-touch surfaces in ICU rooms.
• To investigate the potential role of cleaning textiles in MDRO transmission.
• To identify specific MDROs colonizing frequently touched surfaces post-cleaning.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of 91 high-touch surface samples from ICU rooms.
• Sampling conducted within one hour after daily cleaning procedures.
• Microbial analysis to identify strains of MDROs, including MRSA and P. aeruginosa.

Main Results:

• 22% of high-touch surfaces in rooms with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) patients were colonized with MRSA.
• 5% of high-touch surfaces in rooms with multiresistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa patients were colonized with the same strain.
• Evidence suggests potential contamination of textile cleaning wipes with MDROs.

Conclusions:

• High-touch surfaces in ICUs remain a significant reservoir for MDROs post-cleaning.
• Textile cleaning wipes may contribute to the environmental spread of MDROs within patient rooms.
• Enhanced cleaning strategies and material assessment are needed to mitigate MDRO transmission.