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Breaking transmission via healthcare surfaces

Infection control precautions, including regular cleaning and decontamination, are vital to help reduce the burden of healthcare-associated infections. However, traditional disinfectants only offer limited residual activity.

Incorporating antimicrobial additives into different materials found in patient areas could offer continuous prevention of microbial growth and complement cleaning and disinfection strategies. Jonathan Clapp reports. 

Healthcare-associated infections (HCAIs) pose a great threat to healthcare institutions across Europe, prolonging hospital stays, requiring further therapeutic interventions and, in worst case scenarios, increasing the incidence of death. The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) reported that the six most common types of HCAIs – including urinary tract infections and pneumonia – result in 90,000 patient deaths every year in the EU, which is more than any single infectious disease under its surveillance, including HIV/ AIDS.1 The biggest concern is that more than half of these incidences are thought to be entirely avoidable with active prevention and control programmes, such as cleaning and aseptic practices.2 Routine infection control protocols and best practices are encouraged at all times to protect both staff and patients from the microorganisms that cause infection. But the COVID-19 pandemic gave every healthcare setting the impetus to re-evaluate its standard infection control precautions, with more onus placed on using the correct personal protective equipment (PPE), thorough handwashing and regular cleaning of surfaces; all with the aim of reducing infection transmission.

Is cleaning enough?

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Upcoming Events

Central Sterilising Club Annual Scientific Meeting

Crowne Plaza, Newcastle Upon Tyne
3rd - 4th April 2023

DECON UK 2023

Hilton Birmingham Metropole
18th April 2023

Infection Prevention and Control 2023

National Conference Centre, Birmingham
25th - 26th April 2023

Oncology Professional Care

ExCeL London E16 1XL
23-24 May 2023

EBME Expo 2023

Judds Lane, Coventry, England, GB, CV6 6
28th - 29th June 2023

AfPP Annual Conference 2023

University of York
10- 13 August 2023

Access the latest issue of Clinical Services Journal on your mobile device together with an archive of back issues.

Download the FREE Clinical Services Journal app from your device's App store

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