ICT invited members of industry to submit case studies illustrating practices and products that facilities are using to combat healthcare-acquired infections (HAIs).
PDI Case Study: Improving Environmental Hygiene in a Pediatric System Through a Multi-Disciplinary Approach
Recently, a large pediatric teaching hospital system presented study findings at the 2010 Association for Professionals In Infection Control and Epidemiology annual meeting in New Orleans. The study examined the impact of contaminated environmental surfaces on the development of healthcare-acquired infections (HAIs). Environmental surfaces have a documented 30 percent to 40 percent associated with healthcare acquired infections. Many microorganisms are very resistant to cleaning and disinfection practices. The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality states that, "ungloved hands became contaminated with low levels of pathogenic microorganisms more than 50 percent of the time, even from surface in rooms that had been terminally cleaned after patient discharge."
Collaboration between the clinical staff and the environmental services personnel is critical to maintaining a clean environment of care, and also aids in reducing of the presence of multidrug-resistant organisms (MDROs). In this study, the facility’s infection prevention team collaborated with the environmental services department to implement a best practice, evidence-based bundle to include deep cleaning of all patient rooms, education of both clinical and EVS staff members, recognizing the healthcare worker and the environmental services worker’s role in the prevention of HAIs, and the house-wide use of a disposable germicidal wipe (PDI Super Sani-Cloth®) for disinfection of high-touch surfaces and noncritical items throughout the facilities.
In phase one of the study, a multi-disciplinary team evaluated the systems, processes, and regulatory requirements to attain a best practice model. Systems monitoring was also enhanced. Out of these conversations amongst the stakeholders, a full cleaning and disinfection bundle was developed and key environmental services staff were educated regarding the components.
The results of the study demonstrated a clear delineation of understanding of roles and responsibilities for cleaning and disinfection, the bundle being completely adopted by the stakeholders, and a reduction in environmental contamination. Collaboration between departments was critical to overcoming obstacles and building relationships between healthcare workers and environmental services Staff. C-Suite support helped build the bridge for a cultural transformation. Beside installation of disinfectant wipes (PDI Super Sani-Cloth®) allowed for point-of-service use, thus hardwiring the process for environmental cleaning and disinfection. Through this initiative, the facility was also able to align stakeholder to the same goal of zero tolerance of healthcare acquired infections.
Reference: Peace D. A Multi-Disciplinary Approach to Improving Environmental Hygiene in a Pediatric System. Am J Infect Control. July 2010.
