Summary
Background
Despite rigorous disinfection and fumigation, healthcare-associated infection (HAI)
remains a significant concern in healthcare settings. We have developed a novel airborne-microbicidal
technology ‘ZeBox’ which clears >99.999% of airborne microbial load under controlled
laboratory conditions.
Aim
To evaluate the clinical performance of ZeBox in reducing airborne and surface microbial
load.
Methods
The study was conducted in single-bed and multi-bed intensive care units (ICUs) of
two hospitals. Airborne and surface microbial loads were sampled pre and post deployment
of ZeBox at pre-determined sites. Statistical significance of the reduction was determined
using the Mann–Whitney U-test.
Findings
ZeBox brought statistically significant reduction of both airborne and surface bacterial
and fungal load. In both hospital ICUs, airborne and surface bacterial load decreased
by 90% and 75% on average respectively, providing a low bioburden zone of 10–15 feet
diameter around the unit. The reduced microbial level was maintained during ZeBox's
operation over several weeks. Most clinical bacterial isolates recovered from one
of the hospitals were antibiotic resistant, highlighting ZeBox's ability to eliminate
antimicrobial-resistant bacteria among others.
Conclusion
ZeBox significantly reduces airborne and surface microbial burden in clinical settings.
It thereby serves an unmet need for reducing the incidence of HAI.
Keywords
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: February 15, 2022
Accepted:
February 3,
2022
Received:
December 8,
2021
Identification
Copyright
© 2022 The Healthcare Infection Society. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
