Wiping out MRSA: effect of introducing a universal disinfection wipe in a large UK teaching hospital

Mark I Garvey, Martyn A C Wilkinson, Craig W Bradley, Kerry L Holden, Elisabeth Holden

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5 Citations (Scopus)
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Abstract

Background: Contamination of the inanimate environment around patients constitutes an important reservoir of MRSA. Here we describe the effect of introducing a universal disinfection wipe in all wards on the rates of MRSA acquisitions and bacteraemias across a large UK teaching hospital.

Methods: A segmented Poisson regression model was used to detect any significant changes in the monthly numbers per 100,000 bed days of MRSA acquisitions and bacteraemias from April 2013 - December 2017 across QEHB.

Results: From April 2013 to April 2016, cleaning of ward areas and multi-use patient equipment by nursing staff consisted of a two-wipe system. Firstly, a detergent wipe was used, which was followed by a disinfection step using an alcohol wipe. In May 2016, QEHB discontinued the use of a two-wipe system for cleaning and changed to a one wipe system utilising a combined cleaning and disinfection wipe containing a quaternary ammonium compound. The segmented Poisson regression model demonstrated that the rate of MRSA acquisition/100,000 patient bed days was affected by the introduction of the new wiping regime (20.7 to 9.4 per 100,000 patient bed days; p <0.005).

Discussion: Using a Poisson model we demonstrated that the average hospital acquisition rate of MRSA/100,000 patient bed days reduced by 6.3% per month after the introduction of the new universal wipe.

Conclusion: We suggest that using a simple one wipe system for nurse cleaning is an effective strategy to reduce the spread and incidence of healthcare associated MRSA.

Original languageEnglish
Article number155
JournalAntimicrobial Resistance and Infection Control
Volume7
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 19 Dec 2018

Keywords

  • Disinfection wipes
  • MRSA acquisitions
  • MRSA bacteraemias
  • Meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus

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