Hydrogen peroxide vapor decontamination of an intensive care unit to remove environmental reservoirs of multidrug-resistant gram-negative rods during an outbreak

Jonathan A Otter; Saber Yezli; Marinus A Schouten; Arthur R H van Zanten; Greetje Houmes-Zielman; Maria K E Nohlmans-Paulssen

doi:10.1016/j.ajic.2010.03.010

Hydrogen peroxide vapor decontamination of an intensive care unit to remove environmental reservoirs of multidrug-resistant gram-negative rods during an outbreak

Am J Infect Control. 2010 Nov;38(9):754-6. doi: 10.1016/j.ajic.2010.03.010.

Authors

Jonathan A Otter¹, Saber Yezli, Marinus A Schouten, Arthur R H van Zanten, Greetje Houmes-Zielman, Maria K E Nohlmans-Paulssen

Affiliation

¹ Bioquell (UK) Ltd., 52 Royce Close, West Portway, Andover, UK. [email protected]

PMID: 20605263
DOI: 10.1016/j.ajic.2010.03.010

Abstract

Multidrug-resistant gram-negative rods (MDR-GNR) are an increasing cause for concern in intensive care units (ICUs). We used hydrogen peroxide vapor (HPV) to decontaminate our entire ICU in an attempt to eradicate undetected environmental contamination during outbreaks of MDR-GNR. Surface sampling identified GNR, including MDR strains, on 10 (48%) of 21 areas cultured after intensive cleaning but before decontamination with HPV, and on no areas after HPV. No new cases of Acinetobacter were identified for approximately 3 months after HPV.

MeSH terms

Cross Infection / epidemiology*
Decontamination / methods*
Disinfectants / pharmacology
Disinfection / methods*
Drug Resistance, Multiple, Bacterial*
Environmental Microbiology
Gram-Negative Bacteria / drug effects*
Gram-Negative Bacteria / isolation & purification
Gram-Negative Bacterial Infections / epidemiology*
Humans
Hydrogen Peroxide / pharmacology*
Intensive Care Units
Volatilization

Substances

Disinfectants
Hydrogen Peroxide