Adenosin triiphosphat Bioluminiscence Hospital Cleaning--A Method to Influence Invasive Fungal Infections

Area of Science:

• Healthcare-associated infections
• Infectious diseases
• Microbiology

Background:

• Invasive fungal infections, particularly candidemia caused by Candida parapsilosis, are significant healthcare-associated bloodstream infections.
• These infections pose a high mortality risk, especially in immunocompromised patients.
• Current hygiene assessments in hospitals often rely on visual inspection, lacking objective measurement.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the effectiveness of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) bioluminescence in assessing hand hygiene and environmental cleanliness in hospital settings.
• To determine the current hygiene status in two Romanian hospitals and identify areas for improvement.

Main Methods:

• Collected 200 samples from patient hands and environments in two hospitals (pneumology and infectious diseases).
• Utilized ATP bioluminescence to objectively measure hygiene levels, comparing results against manufacturer recommendations.
• Assessed hygiene in patient contact areas, including toilets, bed rails, and commodes.

Main Results:

• A significant percentage of hand hygiene samples failed to meet recommended standards (66% in Unit I, 75% in Unit II).
• Over 60% of environmental surface samples from patient contact areas also failed hygiene assessments.
• Identified a critical need for improved cleaning protocols and monitoring in the evaluated hospitals.

Conclusions:

• Visual hygiene evaluation is insufficient; objective methods like ATP bioluminescence are crucial for effective cleaning monitoring.
• Implementing ATP bioluminescence can provide rapid, objective data to improve cleaning processes and hand hygiene.
• Enhancing hospital hygiene through objective monitoring, education, and investment is vital for reducing invasive fungal infections and improving patient safety.