Superbug-Related Deaths: A Call to Action for Hospitals

Antimicrobial resistance is on the rise, putting people’s lives on the line. According to the World Health Organization, antibiotic-resistant infections are spiking at an alarming rate, and experts predict this could lead to a 70% increase in related deaths by 2050.

Hospitals are under siege from this sharply rising threat. Findings from the CDC show that the US faces 2.8 million antimicrobial-resistant infections on an annual basis, leading to the death of 35,000 people. Moreover, the financial toll of these infections, including hospital-onset infections, is catastrophic, hitting $4.6 billion.

Now is the time for hospitals and health care institutions to act, but that does not simply mean increasing the frequency of surface disinfection. These drug-resistant infection trends are a harrowing call to action that there needs to be a rewiring of hospital hygiene and cleaning policies. Here are practical strategies to help protect staff and patients more effectively.

Embrace Nontoxic Innovations

Harsh cleaning products are a double-edged sword. While effective for cleaning, they can also pose risks to human health. Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in most cleaning products, such as detergents and bleach, are linked with upper respiratory issues, including asthma. This compounds the risk of weakened immune systems, something that hospitals filled with recovering patients cannot afford.

At the same time, however, health care centers need to use chemicals strong enough to disinfect surfaces. Moreover, they must be able to penetrate biofilms, which account for 65% of all bacterial infections in health care facilities.

Fortunately, there is a nontoxic alternative powerful enough to mitigate all of these threats: Hypochlorous acid (HOCl), which is just as effective as bleach. The chemical composition of HOCI enables it to penetrate cell membranes and bacterial cell walls.

Not only is it safer for people’s respiratory systems, but it also does not produce toxic byproducts. From a sustainability and health standpoint, HOCI is a worthwhile alternative to pursue.

Build Modern Disinfection Programs

Beyond adopting safer, more sustainable chemicals in cleaning products, hospital managers also need to rethink their disinfection programs. These need to be built for greater efficacy, improved staff safety, and better adherence.

A future-ready cleaning strategy accounts for all weak points, which is why audits are essential. These also enable hospital managers to build a blueprint that takes their cleaning practices from average or good to excellent. These audits should take into account:

1. The infection rate among staff and patients, including antibiotic-resistant cases.
2. Indoor air quality measurements that track PM2.5 and VOC levels.
3. A complete inventory of cleaning and disinfecting products used, and whether they comply with local regulations. This also includes how they are stored, their respective hazards and warnings, and safety risks from exposure, mixing, or incorrect potency.
4. Current cleaning schedules and how frequently all areas are cleaned according to infection risk.

Another crucial factor is staff training. Hospital staff should be well-versed in cleaning protocols, including the associated health and safety hazards. Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s Hazard Communication standard, for instance, is designed to ensure workers understand and can access key information on chemical classifications and their hazards.

Managers are duty-bound to train cleaning staff in best practices and required protocols to minimize infection risks. Some key areas include:

• Ensuring disinfectants remain wet on surfaces for the correct dwell time.
• Using practices that reduce cross-contamination risk, like color-coding systems for microfiber cleaning cloths.
• Replacing bacteria-spreading tools, such as mop buckets, with more sanitary alternatives, like microfiber flat mops, steam mops, and floor scrubbers.

Hospitals stand on the frontlines of battling new threats of infections. Cleaning staff also have to strike a balance between maintaining clean environments and protecting patients’ (and their own) health. Looking at alternative cleaning products and mapping out an action plan for improving protocols are just the starting steps to future-proofing sanitization practices.