Monochloramine
Monochloramine has been used successfully for municipal water treatment. Now a commercial system for treatment of single buildings has been developed by Sanipur (Brescia, Italy). Dr. Stout presented findings of the first U.S. study of this monochloramine generating system for Legionella disinfection at the annual Association of Water Technologies conference in September 2012. The results showed a significant decrease in Legionella percent positivity of the hospital's hot water system soon after installation.
Chlorine dioxide
Prospective study of the safety and efficacy of chlorine dioxide for Legionella control in a hospital water system (PDF). Zhang Z, McCann C, Stout JE, et al. Infection Control and Hospital Epidemiology. 2007; 28(8).
Point of Use Filters
SPL scientists evaluated the efficacy of point-of-use faucet water filters in a hospital building with chronic Legionella contamination. The study showed that Pall-Aquasafe ( Pall Corporation) filters eliminated Legionella pneumophila.
Efficacy of new point-of-use filter for preventing exposure to Legionella and waterborne bacteria (PDF). Sheffer PJ, Stout JE, Wagener MM, Muder RR. American Journal of Infection Control. 2005; 33(5) Suppl. 1: S20-S25.
Real-Time Quantitative PCR
SPL researchers evaluated a novel PCR method for the detection of Legionella in water using the GeneDisc system (Pall Corporation).
Poster PDF: A Rapid Method for the Detection of the Nosocomial Waterborne Pathogens Legionella spp. and Pseudomonas aeruginosa by Real-time Quantitative PCR: A Comparison with Standard Culture. Sue M. Mietzner, Pratima Adhikari, Janet E. Stout, Victor L. Yu (Special Pathogens Laboratory and University of Pittsburgh)
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PDISani-Hands® ALC Antimicrobial Alcohol Gel Hand Wipes
Alcohol-Based Wipes Significantly More Effective than Rubs in Reducing Bacteria; Findings Could Impact Hospital-Acquired Infections
SaniPDI Inc. – is the Global Leader in pre-moistened wipes for the healthcare industry. SPL researchers evaluated the efficacy of the PDI Sani-Hands® ALC Antimicrobial Alcohol Gel Hand Wipes vs. hand gel and soap.
Special Pathogens Labs' study measured the effectiveness of this ethonal wipe against an ethanol rub (Purell®) in eliminating bacteria. Our study shows that wipes-towlettes saturated with alcohol are more effective than popular alcohol-based hand rubs in reducing some germs on hands. Specifically, PDI Sani-Hands® "was significantly more effective" than the rub in reducing the number of viable bacteria on hands.
Revisiting the hand wipe versus gel rub debate: Is a higher-ethanol content hand wipe more effective than an ethanol gel rub?(PDF) D’Antonio NN, Rihs JD, Stout JE, Yu VL. American Journal of Infection Control 2010;38 (9):671-758 |
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Antimicrobial Polymer in Keyboard Covers Significantly Reduces
Recovery of Bacteria
BIOSAFE, Inc. has an antimicrobial polymer that can be added to a variety of materials. A novel antimicrobial polymer, BIOSAFE HM4100, can be incorporated into a variety of materials, including the polyurethane used to make keyboard covers and other plastics.
Special Pathogens Lab performed a study to determine whether plastic keyboard covers compounded with HM4100 effectively minimizes the survival of bacterial species commonly present on environmental surfaces in the healthcare setting. The Biosafe coating demonstrated efficacy in reducing viability for Metheallin-resistant aureus (MRSA), Pseudomonas, E. colil, and Vancomycin faecalis (VREF).
Computer Keyboard Covers Impregnated with a Novel Antimicrobial Polymer Significantly Reduce Microbial Contamination (PDF poster). D’Antonio N, Rihs JD, Tosiano M, Stout JE. Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology, Inc., Fort Lauderdale, FL, June 2009.
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