Evaluation of No-Touch Technologies for Decontamination of Toys in Pediatric Healthcare Settings.

No-touch technologies could be useful to decontaminate shared toys in healthcare settings. A high-level disinfection cabinet and electrostatic sprayer were effective against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), bacteriophage MS2, and Clostridioides difficile spores on toys. An ultraviolet-C light box was less effective but reduced MRSA and bacteriophage MS2 by >2 log10.

Are reduced concentrations of chlorine-based disinfectants effective against Candida auris?

Chlorine-based disinfectants are commonly used in rooms of patients with Candida auris, but there is uncertainty regarding optimal concentrations that provide efficacy while minimizing the potential for adverse effects. We found that 2 chlorine-based disinfectants were effective against C auris with 1 minute of contact time at concentrations of 4,000 parts per million or higher. Lower concentrations were effective only with increased contact times that may not be practical in real-world health care settings.

Efficacy of a povidone iodine preparation in reducing nasal methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus in colonized patients.

In a randomized, nonblinded, placebo-controlled trial, a single application of a 10% povidone iodine preparation significantly reduced nasal methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus at 1 and 6 hours after application, but suppression was not sustained at 12 or 24 hours. Twice-daily treatment for 5 days did not reduce nasal methicillin-resistant S aureus measured 12 hours postdosing in comparison to controls. These results suggest that single preoperative applications of povidone iodine will be effective for short-term suppression of S aureus during the perioperative period.

Efficacy of a multi-purpose high level disinfection cabinet against Candida auris and other health care-associated pathogen.

Portable equipment and other small devices used in health care are a potential source for dissemination of pathogens. We demonstrated that a high-level disinfection cabinet using ultrasonic submicron droplets of peracetic acid and hydrogen peroxide was effective against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, Clostridiodes difficile spores, the nonenveloped virus bacteriophage MS2, and Candida auris on steel disk carriers. The device also eliminated Candida auris inoculated on real-world items of portable equipment.