Bioquell case study 1: MRSA at Lewisham University Hospital, London, UK
This case study, in which Bioquell’s hydrogen peroxide vapour (HVP) technology was used to manage an outbreak of MRSA, was recently reported in the Journal of Hospital Infection.
The study took place following the discovery of 10 patients that had become infected or colonised with MRSA. It soon became apparent that cross-contamination had occurred.
The 20 bed surgical ward was of a “Nightingale” design and following an extensive survey it was found that 35.7% of 28 surfaces and 27.7% of 18 air samples were found to be contaminated with MRSA.
The ward was emptied and cleaned manually using 1000ppm sodium hypochlorite along with steam cleaning for three days. It was then re-sampled and MRSA recovered from 16% of 50 surfaces.
Bioquell asked to bio-decontaminate the ward using HPV. The HVP decontamination was completed in 12 hours. The adjacent ward and public areas were monitored and showed no leakage of HVP.
The ward was available for reoccupation immediately after the HVP process. No MRSA was cultured from 50 adjacent sites and there was no new sign of MRSA following HPV decontamination.
