Contact time has limited impact on the efficacy of disinfectant towelettes when tested under conditions reflective of realistic use.

BACKGROUND: Disinfectant towelettes are increasingly being used as a means to prevent transmission of clinically important pathogens which could lead to healthcare-associated infections (HAIs). However, the efficacy of disinfectant towelette products when tested under realistic use conditions is understudied. A test model was designed to replicate realistic wiping conditions. The objective of this study was to determine the impact of varied contact time on disinfectant towelette efficacy under these conditions. METHODS: Five product types were tested against Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 6538) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (ATCC 15,442) at five contact times (30 s, one min, two min, three min, and 10 min) on hard, non-porous laminate templates to determine the impact of contact time on disinfectant towelette efficacy when tested under realistic use. RESULTS: Product type had a significant impact on the efficacy of disinfectant towelettes when tested under conditions reflective of realistic use. The effect of contact time was limited and no differences in efficacy were seen at a contact time of one min compared with the other contact times tested. Only one disinfectant towelette product achieved a mean 5-log reduction under the tested conditions. CONCLUSION: Efficacy of disinfectant towelettes was primarily impacted by product type when applied in a model designed to replicate realistic use in which only a limited effect of contact time was observed. There is a need for further investigation into which factors have the greatest impact on disinfectant towelette efficacy when applied in clinical settings.

Evaluation of automated floor cleaning, disinfection, and application methods against Staphylococcus aureus.

BACKGROUND: Optimization of automated floor disinfection practices using different application methods and product types is important to ensure that pathogens such as Staphylococcus aureus do not transfer from contaminated floors to other high contact areas resulting in healthcare-associated infections (HAIs). We hypothesized that there would be significant differences among the disinfectants and a cleaner under different application methods. Also, performance of application methods would be dependent upon type of product used. METHODS: We tested and compared efficacies of 5 EPA registered disinfectants and one cleaner using an automated Taski 455B floor cleaner against S aureus ATCC 6538 on 2 meters of contaminated vinyl flooring using 3 application methods. RESULTS: Hydrogen peroxide and quaternary ammonium compounds were more efficacious against S aureus than the neutral cleaner. There were no significant differences among the sampling areas tested and application methods regardless of product type. Mean log10 densities recovered from different machine parts and wastewater collected were statistically higher for the cleaner than disinfectants. CONCLUSIONS: All disinfectants had more bactericidal efficacy than the cleaner for all sampling zones on the tested floor. Overall, performance of the floor machine is dependent upon the type of product used.