Best, E, Parnell, P, Couturier, J et al. (6 more authors) (2018) Environmental contamination by bacteria in hospital washrooms according to hand-drying method: a multi-centre study. Journal of Hospital Infection, 100 (4). pp. 469-475. ISSN 0195-6701
Abstract
Background: Hand hygiene is a fundamental component of infection prevention, but few studies have examined whether hand-drying method affects the risk of dissemination of potential pathogens.
Aim: To perform a multi-centre, internal-crossover study comparing bacterial contamination levels in washrooms with hand-drying by either paper towels (PT) or jet air dryer (JAD; Dyson).
Methods: A total of 120 sampling sessions occurred over 12 weeks in each of three hospitals (UK, France, Italy). Bacteria were cultured from air, multiple surfaces, and dust. Washroom footfall (patients/visitors/staff) was monitored externally.
Findings: Footfall was nine times higher in UK washrooms. Bacterial contamination was lower in PT versus JAD washrooms; contamination was similar in France and the UK, but markedly lower in Italian washrooms. Total bacterial recovery was significantly greater from JAD versus PT dispenser surfaces at all sites (median: 100–300 vs 0–10 cfu; all P < 0.0001). In the UK and France, significantly more bacteria were recovered from JAD washroom floors (median: 24 vs 191 cfu, P < 0.00001). UK meticillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus recovery was three times more frequent and six-fold higher for JAD vs PT surfaces (both P < 0.0001). UK meticillin-resistant S. aureus recovery was three times more frequent (21 vs 7 cfu) from JAD versus PT surfaces or floors. Significantly more enterococci and extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL)-producing bacteria were recovered from UK JAD versus PT washroom floors (P < 0.0001). In France, ESBL-producing bacteria were recovered from dust twice as often during JAD versus PT use.
Conclusion: Multiple examples of significant differences in surface bacterial contamination, including by faecal and antibiotic-resistant bacteria, were observed, with higher levels in JAD versus PT washrooms. Hand-drying method affects the risk of (airborne) dissemination of bacteria in real-world settings.
Metadata
Item Type: | Article |
---|---|
Authors/Creators: |
|
Copyright, Publisher and Additional Information: | © 2018 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd on behalf of The Healthcare Infection Society. This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/). |
Keywords: | Hand hygiene; Aerosol; Transmission |
Dates: |
|
Institution: | The University of Leeds |
Academic Units: | The University of Leeds > Faculty of Medicine and Health (Leeds) > Institute of Molecular Medicine (LIMM) (Leeds) > Section of Molecular Gastroenterology (Leeds) |
Depositing User: | Symplectic Publications |
Date Deposited: | 12 Jul 2018 11:46 |
Last Modified: | 07 Jun 2023 13:55 |
Status: | Published |
Publisher: | Elsevier |
Identification Number: | 10.1016/j.jhin.2018.07.002 |
Open Archives Initiative ID (OAI ID): | oai:eprints.whiterose.ac.uk:133233 |
Commentary/Response Threads
- Best, E, Parnell, P, Couturier, J, Barbut, F, Le Bozec, A, Arnoldo, L, Madia, A, Brusaferro, S and Wilcox, MH Environmental contamination by bacteria in hospital washrooms according to hand-drying method: a multi-centre study. (deposited 12 Jul 2018 11:46) [Currently Displayed]