Long-term efficacy of a self-disinfecting coating in an intensive care unit

Background: Cleaning and disinfecting fomites can effectively remove/kill pathogens on surfaces, but studies have shown that more than one-half the time, surfaces are not adequately cleaned or are recontaminated within minutes. This study evaluated a product designed to create a long-lasting surface coating that provides continuous disinfecting action. Methods: This study was performed in an intensive care unit (ICU) in a major hospital. Various sites within the ICU were cultured before treatment and then at 1, 2, 4, 8, and 15 weeks after application of an antimicrobial coating. Samples were cultured for total bacteria, as well as Clostridium difficile, methicillinresistant Staphylococcus aureus, vancomycin-resistant enterococcus, and carbapenemase-resistant Enterobacteriaceae. Results: The average bacterial count on all treated surfaces was reduced by >99% (2 logs) for at least 8 weeks after treatment. Overall, average levels of bacteria never returned to those observed before treatment even after 15 weeks. Antibiotic-resistant bacteria were found on 25% of the sites tested before treatment, but were isolated at only 1 site during the 15 weeks after treatment. Conclusions: The product assessed in this study was found to have persisted over 15 weeks in reducing the total number of bacteria and antibiotic resistant bacteria on surfaces within an ICU.