title: Evaluating use of neutral electrolyzed water for cleaning near-patient surfaces.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study aimed to monitor the microbiological effect of cleaning near-patient sites over a 48-hour period with a novel disinfectant, electrolyzed water.
  
  
  METHODS
  One ward dedicated to acute care of the elderly population in a district general hospital in Scotland.
  
  
  METHODS
  Lockers, left and right cotsides, and overbed tables in 30 bed spaces were screened for aerobic colony count (ACC), methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA), and methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) before cleaning with electrolyzed water. Sites were rescreened at varying intervals from 1 to 48 hours after cleaning. Microbial growth was quantified as colony-forming units (CFUs) per square centimeter and presence or absence of MSSA and MRSA at each site. The study was repeated 3 times at monthly intervals.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There was an early and significant reduction in average ACC (360 sampled sites) from a before-cleaning level of 4.3 to 1.65 CFU/cm(2) at 1 hour after disinfectant cleaning ( P < .0001). Average counts then increased to 3.53 CFU/cm(2) at 24 hours and 3.68 CFU/cm(2) at 48 hours. Total MSSA/MRSA (34 isolates) decreased by 71% at 4 hours after cleaning but then increased to 155% (53 isolates) of precleaning levels at 24 hours.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Cleaning with electrolyzed water reduced ACC and staphylococci on surfaces beside patients. ACC remained below precleaning levels at 48 hours, but MSSA/MRSA counts exceeded original levels at 24 hours after cleaning. Although disinfectant cleaning quickly reduces bioburden, additional investigation is required to clarify the reasons for rebound contamination of pathogens at near-patient sites.
authors.affiliation: Care of the Elderly Medicine, Hairmyres Hospital, National Health Service (NHS) Lanarkshire, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Stewart
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bogusz
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Hunter
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Devanny
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Yip
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Reid
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Robertson
authors.forename: S J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Dancer
mesh_terms: D015169:Colony Count, Microbial; D003428:Cross Infection / Q000382:microbiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D018562:Disease Transmission, Infectious / Q000517:prevention & control*; D004202:Disinfectants / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology; D004203:Disinfection / Q000379:methods; D004572:Electrolysis; D004866:Equipment Contamination / Q000517:prevention & control*; D004865:Equipment and Supplies, Hospital / Q000382:microbiology; D006801:Humans; D055624:Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus / Q000187:drug effects / Q000302:isolation & purification; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014867:Water / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: D004202:Disinfectants; D014867:Water