Utility of nano-impregnated surface coating to achieve continuous active disinfection in ICU of a tertiary trauma center.

INTRODUCTION

Implementing continuous active disinfection presents challenges as conventional cleaning methods may not fully mitigate risks. Hence, evaluating innovative technologies becomes imperative. This study assessed a nanoparticle-based surface coating containing titanium dioxide engineered into nano-molecules that is activated by normal light and provides ongoing disinfection.

METHODOLOGY: The research took place in two intensive care units (ICUs): ICU A (coated) and ICU B (control). Data on healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) and environmental factors were collected pre- and post-coating application to gauge its impact. The change in percentage of positive swabs/HAI cases in ICU A was compared to ICU B and statistically analyzed using a 2-sample test for equality of proportions.

RESULTS

ICU A witnessed a 26.5% decrease in positive environment swabs post-coating, while ICU B saw a 160.9% increase. This disparity was statistically significant (p = 0.000). Both ICUs experienced decreased ventilator associated pneumonia (VAP) cases, though central line associated-blood steam infection (CLA-BSI) and catheter associated urinary tract infection (CAUTI) cases increased in ICU A post application. Following coating, positive environmental swabs and VAP decreased by 71.8%, and 72.5%, while CLA-BSI and CAUTI increased by 198% and 43.5%.

CONCLUSIONS

The evaluation showed that the coating may serve to supplement traditional cleaning and disinfection methods. Further research into the efficacy and cost-effectiveness of such antimicrobial coating is needed for overall improvement in patient care.