Specialized cleaning associated with antimicrobial coatings for reduction of hospital-acquired infection: opinion of the COST Action Network AMiCI (CA15114)

Publication date: July 2018Source: Journal of Hospital Infection, Volume 99, Issue 3Author(s): S.S. Dunne, M. Ahonen, M. Modic, F.R.L. Crijns, M.M. Keinänen-Toivola, R. Meinke, C.W. Keevil, J. Gray, N.H. O'Connell, C.P. DunneSummaryRecognized issues with poor hand hygiene compliance among healthcare workers and reports of recontamination of previously chemically disinfected surfaces through hand contact emphasize the need for novel hygiene methods in addition to those currently available. One such approach involves antimicrobial (nano) coatings (AMCs), whereby integrated active ingredients are responsible for elimination of micro-organisms that come into contact with treated surfaces. While widely studied under laboratory conditions with promising results, studies under real-life healthcare conditions are scarce. The views of 75 contributors from 30 European countries were collated regarding specialized cleaning associated with AMCs for reduction of healthcare-associated infection.There was unanimous agreement that generation of scientific guidelines for cleaning of AMCs, using traditional or new processes, is needed. Specific topics included: understanding mechanisms of action of cleaning materials and their physical interactions with conventional coatings and AMCs; that assessments mimic the life cycle of coatings to determine the impact of repetitive cleaning and other aspects of ageing (e.g. exposure to sunlight); determining concentrations of AMC-derived biocides in eff...
Source: Journal of Hospital Infection - Category: Infectious Diseases Source Type: research