Antimicrobials: Healthcare's Silver Bullet Against HAIs?

Fighting biofilm formation on medical devices and the growth of pathogenic microorganisms on surfaces are two distinct objectives of today’s modern antimicrobials. From implants to bone cement, antibacterial sutures and catheters to thermometers and everything in between, antimicrobials are being applied, impregnated and are eluting in a wide variety of products and applications in the healthcare environment. Medical devices, such as urological catheters, intravascular catheters, and vascular access devices, have been shown in numerous studies to be reservoirs of pathogenic microorganisms. An increasing number of device manufacturers are using antimicrobials to help fend off growth of opportunistic organisms.

Child (2005) explains that there are two main methods of using antimicrobials — the biocides can be incorporated into the device, or its surface can be coated with a biocide. Examples of fully incorporated biocides would be impregnated materials such as plastics and laminates, while surface coatings could be paints or special applications involving spraying or dipping. Child (2005) emphasizes the importance of the concentration of the biocide within the material: “...very high levels will increase rate of kill but may preclude food contact or direct body-fluid contact; levels which are too low may make the surface ineffective, or worse, encourage the growth of resistant strains.”