title: A pilot study to assess the effectiveness and cost of routine universal use of peracetic acid sporicidal wipes in a real clinical environment.
abstract: Peracetic acid sporicidal wipes have been shown to be an effective disinfectant, but in controlled test environments. Their high cost may restrict use.
  
  
  
  This pilot study investigated the efficacy and compared the costs of routine universal use of peracetic acid sporicidal wipes versus sporicidal quaternary ammonium compound and alcohol wipes in the disinfection of a hospital environment.
  
  
  
  The routine universal use of peracetic acid wipes (Clinell Sporicidal; GAMA Healthcare Ltd, London, UK) was allocated to a study ward, whereas the control ward continued with the use of quaternary ammonium compound wipes (Tuffie 5; Vernacare, Bolton, UK) and alcohol wipes (PDI Sani-Cloth 70; PDI, Flint, UK). Twenty high-touch areas in the 2 wards were sampled for the presence of indicator organisms. The weekly detection rates of indicator organisms and weekly healthcare associated infection (HCAI) rates in the 2 wards were compared and examined for decreasing trends over the trial period.
  
  
  
  The detection rates of indicator organisms and HCAI rates were not significantly different in the 2 wards, and did not decrease significantly over the trial period. However, the peracetic acid wipes seem to be more effective against gram-negative organisms but at a significantly higher cost.
  
  
  
  Further prospective studies are needed to assess the cost-effectiveness of peracetic acid wipes.
authors.affiliation: Medical Microbiology, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom. Electronic address: saha.avinandan@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Avinandan
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Saha
authors.affiliation: Medical Microbiology, North Middlesex University Hospital NHS Trust, London, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Stefan Louis
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Botha
authors.affiliation: Medical Microbiology, North Middlesex University Hospital NHS Trust, London, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Paul
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Weaving
authors.affiliation: Medical Microbiology, North Middlesex University Hospital NHS Trust, London, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Giovanni
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Satta
mesh_terms: D000438:Alcohols / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000191:economics; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D003428:Cross Infection / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D004202:Disinfectants / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D004203:Disinfection / Q000191:economics* / Q000379:methods*; D006761:Hospitals; D006801:Humans; D008131:London; D010463:Peracetic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000191:economics; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011446:Prospective Studies; D000644:Quaternary Ammonium Compounds / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000191:economics
chemical_list: D000438:Alcohols; D004202:Disinfectants; D000644:Quaternary Ammonium Compounds; D010463:Peracetic Acid
keywords: Clostridium difficile disinfection; Healthcare associated infections; Hospital disinfection; Peracetic acid disinfectant wipes