Title

Measuring Environmental Contamination in Critical Care Using Dilute Hydrogen Peroxide (DHP) Technology: An Observational Cross-Over Study

Authors

Aileen Oon, NSW Health
E Reading, Manning Base Hospital
John K. Ferguson, NSW HealthFollow
Stephanie J. Dancer, National Health Service ScotlandFollow
Brett G. Mitchell, Avondale College of Higher EducationFollow

Author Faculty (Discipline)

Nursing

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

3-2020

Early Online Version

1-9-2020

JOURNAL

Infection, Disease and Health

VOLUME NUMBER

25

ISSUE NUMBER

2

PAGE NUMBERS

107-112

ISSN

2468-0451

Embargo Period

10-19-2021

ANZSRC / FoR Code

111716 Preventive Medicine

Avondale Research Centre

Lifestyle and Health Research Centre

Reportable Items (HERDC/ERA)

C1

Abstract

Background

The environment has an important role in the transmission of healthcare associated infections. This has encouraged interest in novel methods to improve hygiene in hospitals. One such technology is the use of hydrogen peroxide to decontaminate rooms and equipment; there are, however, few studies that have investigated the effect of continuous dilute hydrogen peroxide (DHP) in the clinical environment. The aim of this study was to examine the use of dilute hydrogen peroxide (DHP) in a critical care unit and measure the microbiological impact on surface contamination.

Methods

We conducted a prospective observational cross-over study in a ten-bed critical care unit in one rural Australian hospital. Selected high-touch sites were screened using dipslides across three study phases: baseline; continuous DHP; and no DHP (control). Quantitative aerobic colony counts (ACC) were assessed against a benchmark standard of ACC >2.5 cfu/cm² to indicate hygiene failure.

Results

There were low levels of microbial contamination in the unit for baseline; DHP; and no DHP phases: 2.2% (95% CI 0.7–5.4%) vs 7.7% (95% CI 4.3–13.0%) vs 6% (95% CI 3.2–10.4%) hygiene failures, respectively. Significant reduction in ACCs did not occur when the DHP was operating compared with baseline and control phases.

Conclusion

Further work is needed to determine whether continuous DHP technology has a role in decontamination for healthcare settings.

Link to publisher version (DOI)

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.idh.2019.12.005

Peer Review

Before publication

Recommended Citation

Oon, A., Reading, E., Ferguson, J. K., Dancer, S. J., & Mitchell, B. G. (2020). Measuring environmental contamination in critical care using dilute hydrogen peroxide (DHP) technology: An observational cross-over study. Infection, Disease and Health, 25(2), 107-112. doi: 10.1016/j.idh.2019.12.005