Summary
Background
Optimal hand hygiene may be compromised by contact with contaminated environmental
surfaces.
Aim
To investigate the in-vitro efficacy of a novel alcohol-release doorplate to reduce
surface contamination during hand contact.
Methods
Prototype, horizontally held, Surfaceskins, alcohol gel-impregnated and control (aluminium)
doorplates were challenged (N = 72 per micro-organism) with Staphylococcus aureus-, Eschericia coli-, Enterococcus faecalis-, or Clostridium difficile-contaminated fingers. S. aureus and E. faecalis were used for challenges (90 per micro-organism) of vertical (modified design) doorplates,
on days 0, 3, 4, 6, and 7. Surface contamination was measured pre and immediately
post challenges using agar contact plates.
Findings
Horizontal test, but not control, doorplates demonstrated bacterial killing of S. aureus, E. faecalis and E. coli, but not of C. difficile; hence, only testing of S. aureus and E. faecalis was continued. Vertical Surfaceskins, but not control, doorplates demonstrated rapid
killing of S. aureus over seven days. There were significant reductions (>90% up to day 6; P ≤ 0.01) of surface bacterial colony counts compared with controls immediately post
challenge. There were also significant reductions in Surfaceskins doorplate enterococcal
colony counts compared with controls on every day of testing (P ≤ 0.004). There was no evidence that bacterial recovery was greater from the tops
of Surfaceskins doorplates (i.e. due to pooling of contents).
Conclusion
Surfaceskins doorplates were efficient at reducing surface contamination by S. aureus, E. faecalis, and E. coli. Reducing microbial contamination of frequently touched door surfaces, and so bacterial
transfer via hands, could feasibly reduce the risk of healthcare-associated and other
infections.
Keywords
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: July 28, 2017
Accepted:
July 24,
2017
Received:
March 30,
2017
Identification
Copyright
© 2017 The Healthcare Infection Society. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
