When it comes to reducing infections in hospitals and potentially saving lives, a new study has found that cleaning shared medical equipment at least once a day with a disinfectant wipe can make a significant difference. The study, known as the CLEEN study, was a randomized control trial led by Professor Brett Mitchell from Avondale University in a hospital on the Central Coast of New South Wales, with collaboration from Monash University Professor Philip Russo.
Published in The Lancet Infectious Diseases, the study introduced an intervention that included additional cleaning, education on techniques, and an audit of cleanliness. Dedicated cleaners, rather than healthcare workers responsible for cleaning, spent three extra hours each day cleaning shared equipment such as commodes, drip stands, and walking aids.
To measure cleanliness, fluorescent marker gel dots were placed on the equipment surfaces. These dots could only be removed by a thorough clean and were resistant to dry abrasion. Before the intervention, the hospital was only able to remove about 25% of the dots. After the intervention, this number increased to 65%, resulting in a 35% reduction in healthcare-associated infections.
With an estimated 165,000 infections occurring in Australian hospitals each year, the impact of infections goes beyond just monetary costs. Professor Mitchell emphasized the importance of increased cleaning in hospitals, stating that the intervention led to 100 fewer infections, some of which could have resulted in major complications or even death.
Professor Russo highlighted the critical role of dedicated cleaners in infection prevention and the need for multiple interventions to address healthcare-associated infections. Despite the increase in morbidity, mortality, and antimicrobial resistance associated with infections, strategies for preventing these infections are often based on low-quality evidence.
The CLEEN study adds to the limited number of high-quality randomized control trials focused on cleaning and healthcare-associated infections. Trial coordinator Dr. Kate Browne emphasized the importance of evidence-based trials in shaping clinical policies and guidelines that ultimately improve patient care.
The study, titled “Investigating the effect of enhanced cleaning and disinfection of shared medical equipment on healthcare-associated infections in Australia (CLEEN),” provides valuable insights into the impact of cleaning practices on infection rates. This research is a crucial step in improving the quality of patient care and reducing the burden of healthcare-associated infections in hospitals.
