Hospital Environment

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H Humphreys - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

  • cold air plasma to decontaminate inanimate surfaces of the Hospital Environment
    Applied and Environmental Microbiology, 2014
    Co-Authors: Orla J Cahill, Tânia Claro, Niall Oconnor, Anthony A Cafolla, Niall T Stevens, Stephen Daniels, H Humphreys
    Abstract:

    The Hospital Environment harbors bacteria that may cause health care-associated infections. Microorganisms, such as multiresistant bacteria, can spread around the patient's inanimate Environment. Some recently introduced biodecontamination approaches in Hospitals have significant limitations due to the toxic nature of the gases and the length of time required for aeration. This study evaluated the in vitro use of cold air plasma as an efficient alternative to traditional methods of biodecontamination of Hospital surfaces. Cultures of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE), extended-spectrum-β-lactamase (ESBL)-producing Escherichia coli, and Acinetobacter baumannii were applied to different materials similar to those found in the Hospital Environment. Artificially contaminated sections of marmoleum, mattress, polypropylene, powder-coated mild steel, and stainless steel were then exposed to a cold air pressure plasma single jet for 30 s, 60 s, and 90 s, operating at approximately 25 W and 12 liters/min flow rate. Direct plasma exposure successfully reduced the bacterial load by log 3 for MRSA, log 2.7 for VRE, log 2 for ESBL-producing E. coli, and log 1.7 for A. baumannii. The present report confirms the efficient antibacterial activity of a cold air plasma single-jet plume on nosocomial bacterially contaminated surfaces over a short period of time and highlights its potential for routine biodecontamination in the clinical Environment.

  • cold air plasma to decontaminate inanimate surfaces of the Hospital Environment
    Applied and Environmental Microbiology, 2014
    Co-Authors: Orla J Cahill, Tânia Claro, Niall Oconnor, Anthony A Cafolla, Niall T Stevens, Stephen Daniels, H Humphreys
    Abstract:

    The Hospital Environment harbors bacteria that may cause health care-associated infections. Microorganisms, such as multiresistant bacteria, can spread around the patient's inanimate Environment. Some recently introduced biodecontamination approaches in Hospitals have significant limitations due to the toxic nature of the gases and the length of time required for aeration. This study evaluated the in vitro use of cold air plasma as an efficient alternative to traditional methods of biodecontamination of Hospital surfaces. Cultures of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE), extended-spectrum-β-lactamase (ESBL)-producing Escherichia coli, and Acinetobacter baumannii were applied to different materials similar to those found in the Hospital Environment. Artificially contaminated sections of marmoleum, mattress, polypropylene, powder-coated mild steel, and stainless steel were then exposed to a cold air pressure plasma single jet for 30 s, 60 s, and 90 s, operating at approximately 25 W and 12 liters/min flow rate. Direct plasma exposure successfully reduced the bacterial load by log 3 for MRSA, log 2.7 for VRE, log 2 for ESBL-producing E. coli, and log 1.7 for A. baumannii. The present report confirms the efficient antibacterial activity of a cold air plasma single-jet plume on nosocomial bacterially contaminated surfaces over a short period of time and highlights its potential for routine biodecontamination in the clinical Environment.

  • microbial monitoring of the Hospital Environment why and how
    Journal of Hospital Infection, 2012
    Co-Authors: Sandra Galvin, Orla J Cahill, Stephen Daniels, H Humphreys, Anthony Dolan
    Abstract:

    Summary Background The purpose of microbial monitoring of the inanimate Environment surrounding a patient can be two-fold; to monitor hygiene standards and also to examine for the presence of specific nosocomial pathogens which may be the source of an outbreak. While both purposes involve routine culture of microorganisms, the methods used for each can differ in order to provide optimal results. The main difference between both purposes is the need for enumeration, site specificity for an aerobic colony count (ACC) for hygiene assessments, and the need to simply detect the presence or absence of multi-resistant nosocomial pathogens for infection control surveillance. Aim To access current methods used in research studies and during outbreak investigations to detect nosocomial pathogens in the inanimate Environment in the clinical setting. Methods A Pubmed search of published literature was performed. Findings Microbial monitoring of the Environment can involve the use of swabs, sponges, contact plates and dip slides coupled with a variety of enrichment broths and selective media. The use of molecular methods such as polymerase chain reaction (PCR) can potentially provide a faster turnaround time, resulting in the quicker implementation of infection prevention and control cleaning and disinfection regimens. However, the optimal methods for performing a microbial hygiene evaluation or detecting specific bacterial pathogens are not generally agreed. Conclusion There is a need for agreed standards on the optimal methods, frequency of Environmental sampling and acceptable levels of surface contamination within the healthcare system.

Gibraan Rahman - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

  • sars cov 2 detection status associates with bacterial community composition in patients and the Hospital Environment
    Microbiome, 2021
    Co-Authors: Clarisse Marotz, Farhana Ali, Promi Das, Shi Huang, Kalen Cantrell, Lingjing Jiang, Cameron Martino, Rachel E. Diner, Pedro Beldaferre, Gibraan Rahman
    Abstract:

    Author(s): Marotz, Clarisse; Belda-Ferre, Pedro; Ali, Farhana; Das, Promi; Huang, Shi; Cantrell, Kalen; Jiang, Lingjing; Martino, Cameron; Diner, Rachel E; Rahman, Gibraan; McDonald, Daniel; Armstrong, George; Kodera, Sho; Donato, Sonya; Ecklu-Mensah, Gertrude; Gottel, Neil; Salas Garcia, Mariana C; Chiang, Leslie Y; Salido, Rodolfo A; Shaffer, Justin P; Bryant, Mac Kenzie; Sanders, Karenina; Humphrey, Greg; Ackermann, Gail; Haiminen, Niina; Beck, Kristen L; Kim, Ho-Cheol; Carrieri, Anna Paola; Parida, Laxmi; Vazquez-Baeza, Yoshiki; Torriani, Francesca J; Knight, Rob; Gilbert, Jack; Sweeney, Daniel A; Allard, Sarah M | Abstract: BackgroundSARS-CoV-2 is an RNA virus responsible for the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Viruses exist in complex microbial Environments, and recent studies have revealed both synergistic and antagonistic effects of specific bacterial taxa on viral prevalence and infectivity. We set out to test whether specific bacterial communities predict SARS-CoV-2 occurrence in a Hospital setting.MethodsWe collected 972 samples from Hospitalized patients with COVID-19, their health care providers, and Hospital surfaces before, during, and after admission. We screened for SARS-CoV-2 using RT-qPCR, characterized microbial communities using 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing, and used these bacterial profiles to classify SARS-CoV-2 RNA detection with a random forest model.ResultsSixteen percent of surfaces from COVID-19 patient rooms had detectable SARS-CoV-2 RNA, although infectivity was not assessed. The highest prevalence was in floor samples next to patient beds (39%) and directly outside their rooms (29%). Although bed rail samples more closely resembled the patient microbiome compared to floor samples, SARS-CoV-2 RNA was detected less often in bed rail samples (11%). SARS-CoV-2 positive samples had higher bacterial phylogenetic diversity in both human and surface samples and higher biomass in floor samples. 16S microbial community profiles enabled high classifier accuracy for SARS-CoV-2 status in not only nares, but also forehead, stool, and floor samples. Across these distinct microbial profiles, a single amplicon sequence variant from the genus Rothia strongly predicted SARS-CoV-2 presence across sample types, with greater prevalence in positive surface and human samples, even when compared to samples from patients in other intensive care units prior to the COVID-19 pandemic.ConclusionsThese results contextualize the vast diversity of microbial niches where SARS-CoV-2 RNA is detected and identify specific bacterial taxa that associate with the viral RNA prevalence both in the host and Hospital Environment. Video Abstract.

  • SARS-CoV-2 detection status associates with bacterial community composition in patients and the Hospital Environment
    'Springer Science and Business Media LLC', 2021
    Co-Authors: Clarisse Marotz, Pedro Belda-ferre, Farhana Ali, Promi Das, Shi Huang, Kalen Cantrell, Lingjing Jiang, Cameron Martino, Rachel E. Diner, Gibraan Rahman
    Abstract:

    Abstract Background SARS-CoV-2 is an RNA virus responsible for the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Viruses exist in complex microbial Environments, and recent studies have revealed both synergistic and antagonistic effects of specific bacterial taxa on viral prevalence and infectivity. We set out to test whether specific bacterial communities predict SARS-CoV-2 occurrence in a Hospital setting. Methods We collected 972 samples from Hospitalized patients with COVID-19, their health care providers, and Hospital surfaces before, during, and after admission. We screened for SARS-CoV-2 using RT-qPCR, characterized microbial communities using 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing, and used these bacterial profiles to classify SARS-CoV-2 RNA detection with a random forest model. Results Sixteen percent of surfaces from COVID-19 patient rooms had detectable SARS-CoV-2 RNA, although infectivity was not assessed. The highest prevalence was in floor samples next to patient beds (39%) and directly outside their rooms (29%). Although bed rail samples more closely resembled the patient microbiome compared to floor samples, SARS-CoV-2 RNA was detected less often in bed rail samples (11%). SARS-CoV-2 positive samples had higher bacterial phylogenetic diversity in both human and surface samples and higher biomass in floor samples. 16S microbial community profiles enabled high classifier accuracy for SARS-CoV-2 status in not only nares, but also forehead, stool, and floor samples. Across these distinct microbial profiles, a single amplicon sequence variant from the genus Rothia strongly predicted SARS-CoV-2 presence across sample types, with greater prevalence in positive surface and human samples, even when compared to samples from patients in other intensive care units prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. Conclusions These results contextualize the vast diversity of microbial niches where SARS-CoV-2 RNA is detected and identify specific bacterial taxa that associate with the viral RNA prevalence both in the host and Hospital Environment. Video Abstrac

Patrick C. Seed - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

  • early life skin microbiota in Hospitalized preterm and full term infants
    Microbiome, 2018
    Co-Authors: Noelle Younge, Debra Brandon, Felix Araujoperez, Patrick C. Seed
    Abstract:

    The infant skin microbiota may serve as a reservoir of bacteria that contribute to neonatal infections and stimulate local and systemic immune development. The objectives of our study were to characterize the skin microbiota of preterm and full-term infants during their birth Hospitalization and describe its relationship to the microbiota of other body sites and the Hospital Environment. We conducted a cross-sectional study of 129 infants, including 40 preterm and 89 full-term infants. Samples were collected from five sites: the forehead and posterior auricular scalp (skin upper body); the periumbilical region, inguinal folds, and upper thighs (skin lower body); the oral cavity; the infant’s immediate Environment; and stool. Staphylococcus, Streptococcus, Enterococcus, and enteric Gram-negative bacteria including Escherichia and Enterobacter dominated the skin microbiota. The preterm infant microbiota at multiple sites had lower alpha diversity and greater enrichment with Staphylococcus and Escherichia than the microbiota of comparable sites in full-term infants. The community structure was highly variable among individuals but differed significantly by body site, postnatal age, and gestational age. Source tracking indicated that each body site both contributed to and received microbiota from other body sites and the Hospital Environment. The skin microbiota of preterm and full-term infants varied across individuals, by body site, and by the infant’s developmental stage. The skin harbored many organisms that are common pathogens in Hospitalized infants. Bacterial source tracking suggests that microbiota are commonly exchanged across body sites and the Hospital Environment as microbial communities mature in infancy.

  • Early-life skin microbiota in Hospitalized preterm and full-term infants
    BMC, 2018
    Co-Authors: Noelle E. Younge, Debra Brandon, Félix Araújo-pérez, Patrick C. Seed
    Abstract:

    Abstract Background The infant skin microbiota may serve as a reservoir of bacteria that contribute to neonatal infections and stimulate local and systemic immune development. The objectives of our study were to characterize the skin microbiota of preterm and full-term infants during their birth Hospitalization and describe its relationship to the microbiota of other body sites and the Hospital Environment. Results We conducted a cross-sectional study of 129 infants, including 40 preterm and 89 full-term infants. Samples were collected from five sites: the forehead and posterior auricular scalp (skin upper body); the periumbilical region, inguinal folds, and upper thighs (skin lower body); the oral cavity; the infant’s immediate Environment; and stool. Staphylococcus, Streptococcus, Enterococcus, and enteric Gram-negative bacteria including Escherichia and Enterobacter dominated the skin microbiota. The preterm infant microbiota at multiple sites had lower alpha diversity and greater enrichment with Staphylococcus and Escherichia than the microbiota of comparable sites in full-term infants. The community structure was highly variable among individuals but differed significantly by body site, postnatal age, and gestational age. Source tracking indicated that each body site both contributed to and received microbiota from other body sites and the Hospital Environment. Conclusion The skin microbiota of preterm and full-term infants varied across individuals, by body site, and by the infant’s developmental stage. The skin harbored many organisms that are common pathogens in Hospitalized infants. Bacterial source tracking suggests that microbiota are commonly exchanged across body sites and the Hospital Environment as microbial communities mature in infancy

Clarisse Marotz - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

  • sars cov 2 detection status associates with bacterial community composition in patients and the Hospital Environment
    Microbiome, 2021
    Co-Authors: Clarisse Marotz, Farhana Ali, Promi Das, Shi Huang, Kalen Cantrell, Lingjing Jiang, Cameron Martino, Rachel E. Diner, Pedro Beldaferre, Gibraan Rahman
    Abstract:

    Author(s): Marotz, Clarisse; Belda-Ferre, Pedro; Ali, Farhana; Das, Promi; Huang, Shi; Cantrell, Kalen; Jiang, Lingjing; Martino, Cameron; Diner, Rachel E; Rahman, Gibraan; McDonald, Daniel; Armstrong, George; Kodera, Sho; Donato, Sonya; Ecklu-Mensah, Gertrude; Gottel, Neil; Salas Garcia, Mariana C; Chiang, Leslie Y; Salido, Rodolfo A; Shaffer, Justin P; Bryant, Mac Kenzie; Sanders, Karenina; Humphrey, Greg; Ackermann, Gail; Haiminen, Niina; Beck, Kristen L; Kim, Ho-Cheol; Carrieri, Anna Paola; Parida, Laxmi; Vazquez-Baeza, Yoshiki; Torriani, Francesca J; Knight, Rob; Gilbert, Jack; Sweeney, Daniel A; Allard, Sarah M | Abstract: BackgroundSARS-CoV-2 is an RNA virus responsible for the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Viruses exist in complex microbial Environments, and recent studies have revealed both synergistic and antagonistic effects of specific bacterial taxa on viral prevalence and infectivity. We set out to test whether specific bacterial communities predict SARS-CoV-2 occurrence in a Hospital setting.MethodsWe collected 972 samples from Hospitalized patients with COVID-19, their health care providers, and Hospital surfaces before, during, and after admission. We screened for SARS-CoV-2 using RT-qPCR, characterized microbial communities using 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing, and used these bacterial profiles to classify SARS-CoV-2 RNA detection with a random forest model.ResultsSixteen percent of surfaces from COVID-19 patient rooms had detectable SARS-CoV-2 RNA, although infectivity was not assessed. The highest prevalence was in floor samples next to patient beds (39%) and directly outside their rooms (29%). Although bed rail samples more closely resembled the patient microbiome compared to floor samples, SARS-CoV-2 RNA was detected less often in bed rail samples (11%). SARS-CoV-2 positive samples had higher bacterial phylogenetic diversity in both human and surface samples and higher biomass in floor samples. 16S microbial community profiles enabled high classifier accuracy for SARS-CoV-2 status in not only nares, but also forehead, stool, and floor samples. Across these distinct microbial profiles, a single amplicon sequence variant from the genus Rothia strongly predicted SARS-CoV-2 presence across sample types, with greater prevalence in positive surface and human samples, even when compared to samples from patients in other intensive care units prior to the COVID-19 pandemic.ConclusionsThese results contextualize the vast diversity of microbial niches where SARS-CoV-2 RNA is detected and identify specific bacterial taxa that associate with the viral RNA prevalence both in the host and Hospital Environment. Video Abstract.

  • SARS-CoV-2 detection status associates with bacterial community composition in patients and the Hospital Environment
    'Springer Science and Business Media LLC', 2021
    Co-Authors: Clarisse Marotz, Pedro Belda-ferre, Farhana Ali, Promi Das, Shi Huang, Kalen Cantrell, Lingjing Jiang, Cameron Martino, Rachel E. Diner, Gibraan Rahman
    Abstract:

    Abstract Background SARS-CoV-2 is an RNA virus responsible for the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Viruses exist in complex microbial Environments, and recent studies have revealed both synergistic and antagonistic effects of specific bacterial taxa on viral prevalence and infectivity. We set out to test whether specific bacterial communities predict SARS-CoV-2 occurrence in a Hospital setting. Methods We collected 972 samples from Hospitalized patients with COVID-19, their health care providers, and Hospital surfaces before, during, and after admission. We screened for SARS-CoV-2 using RT-qPCR, characterized microbial communities using 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing, and used these bacterial profiles to classify SARS-CoV-2 RNA detection with a random forest model. Results Sixteen percent of surfaces from COVID-19 patient rooms had detectable SARS-CoV-2 RNA, although infectivity was not assessed. The highest prevalence was in floor samples next to patient beds (39%) and directly outside their rooms (29%). Although bed rail samples more closely resembled the patient microbiome compared to floor samples, SARS-CoV-2 RNA was detected less often in bed rail samples (11%). SARS-CoV-2 positive samples had higher bacterial phylogenetic diversity in both human and surface samples and higher biomass in floor samples. 16S microbial community profiles enabled high classifier accuracy for SARS-CoV-2 status in not only nares, but also forehead, stool, and floor samples. Across these distinct microbial profiles, a single amplicon sequence variant from the genus Rothia strongly predicted SARS-CoV-2 presence across sample types, with greater prevalence in positive surface and human samples, even when compared to samples from patients in other intensive care units prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. Conclusions These results contextualize the vast diversity of microbial niches where SARS-CoV-2 RNA is detected and identify specific bacterial taxa that associate with the viral RNA prevalence both in the host and Hospital Environment. Video Abstrac

Orla J Cahill - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

  • cold air plasma to decontaminate inanimate surfaces of the Hospital Environment
    Applied and Environmental Microbiology, 2014
    Co-Authors: Orla J Cahill, Tânia Claro, Niall Oconnor, Anthony A Cafolla, Niall T Stevens, Stephen Daniels, H Humphreys
    Abstract:

    The Hospital Environment harbors bacteria that may cause health care-associated infections. Microorganisms, such as multiresistant bacteria, can spread around the patient's inanimate Environment. Some recently introduced biodecontamination approaches in Hospitals have significant limitations due to the toxic nature of the gases and the length of time required for aeration. This study evaluated the in vitro use of cold air plasma as an efficient alternative to traditional methods of biodecontamination of Hospital surfaces. Cultures of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE), extended-spectrum-β-lactamase (ESBL)-producing Escherichia coli, and Acinetobacter baumannii were applied to different materials similar to those found in the Hospital Environment. Artificially contaminated sections of marmoleum, mattress, polypropylene, powder-coated mild steel, and stainless steel were then exposed to a cold air pressure plasma single jet for 30 s, 60 s, and 90 s, operating at approximately 25 W and 12 liters/min flow rate. Direct plasma exposure successfully reduced the bacterial load by log 3 for MRSA, log 2.7 for VRE, log 2 for ESBL-producing E. coli, and log 1.7 for A. baumannii. The present report confirms the efficient antibacterial activity of a cold air plasma single-jet plume on nosocomial bacterially contaminated surfaces over a short period of time and highlights its potential for routine biodecontamination in the clinical Environment.

  • cold air plasma to decontaminate inanimate surfaces of the Hospital Environment
    Applied and Environmental Microbiology, 2014
    Co-Authors: Orla J Cahill, Tânia Claro, Niall Oconnor, Anthony A Cafolla, Niall T Stevens, Stephen Daniels, H Humphreys
    Abstract:

    The Hospital Environment harbors bacteria that may cause health care-associated infections. Microorganisms, such as multiresistant bacteria, can spread around the patient's inanimate Environment. Some recently introduced biodecontamination approaches in Hospitals have significant limitations due to the toxic nature of the gases and the length of time required for aeration. This study evaluated the in vitro use of cold air plasma as an efficient alternative to traditional methods of biodecontamination of Hospital surfaces. Cultures of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE), extended-spectrum-β-lactamase (ESBL)-producing Escherichia coli, and Acinetobacter baumannii were applied to different materials similar to those found in the Hospital Environment. Artificially contaminated sections of marmoleum, mattress, polypropylene, powder-coated mild steel, and stainless steel were then exposed to a cold air pressure plasma single jet for 30 s, 60 s, and 90 s, operating at approximately 25 W and 12 liters/min flow rate. Direct plasma exposure successfully reduced the bacterial load by log 3 for MRSA, log 2.7 for VRE, log 2 for ESBL-producing E. coli, and log 1.7 for A. baumannii. The present report confirms the efficient antibacterial activity of a cold air plasma single-jet plume on nosocomial bacterially contaminated surfaces over a short period of time and highlights its potential for routine biodecontamination in the clinical Environment.

  • microbial monitoring of the Hospital Environment why and how
    Journal of Hospital Infection, 2012
    Co-Authors: Sandra Galvin, Orla J Cahill, Stephen Daniels, H Humphreys, Anthony Dolan
    Abstract:

    Summary Background The purpose of microbial monitoring of the inanimate Environment surrounding a patient can be two-fold; to monitor hygiene standards and also to examine for the presence of specific nosocomial pathogens which may be the source of an outbreak. While both purposes involve routine culture of microorganisms, the methods used for each can differ in order to provide optimal results. The main difference between both purposes is the need for enumeration, site specificity for an aerobic colony count (ACC) for hygiene assessments, and the need to simply detect the presence or absence of multi-resistant nosocomial pathogens for infection control surveillance. Aim To access current methods used in research studies and during outbreak investigations to detect nosocomial pathogens in the inanimate Environment in the clinical setting. Methods A Pubmed search of published literature was performed. Findings Microbial monitoring of the Environment can involve the use of swabs, sponges, contact plates and dip slides coupled with a variety of enrichment broths and selective media. The use of molecular methods such as polymerase chain reaction (PCR) can potentially provide a faster turnaround time, resulting in the quicker implementation of infection prevention and control cleaning and disinfection regimens. However, the optimal methods for performing a microbial hygiene evaluation or detecting specific bacterial pathogens are not generally agreed. Conclusion There is a need for agreed standards on the optimal methods, frequency of Environmental sampling and acceptable levels of surface contamination within the healthcare system.