Precis - MRSA trial 9/04

LONDON HOSPITAL TRIALS EUROPEAN CLEANING SYSTEM WITH POSITIVE RESULTS

The UK's first 'in-house' comparison of a successful European cleaning system compared with traditional UK hospital cleaning methods has shown it to be effective in tackling hospital acquired infections like MRSA.

The study, conducted at Whipps Cross Hospital London, follows increasing government and public concern about hospital cleanliness and the pressing need for higher standards of cleanliness.

The cleaning system proved so efficient that it is being introduced into several hospitals across the UK, including Whipps Cross, and the results of the survey are now being presented to members of parliament.

The independent evaluation compared a new microfibre system, already used in several countries in Europe, against the hospital's own 'in-house' 1% neutral detergent /1000ppm hypochlorite method (the highest general level of disinfectant). Whereas the microfibre system uses only a small amount of water with no disinfectants, the
hypochlorite solution is an irritant. It is only used in small, discrete parts of the hospital to provide the highest levels of hygiene which is why it was specifically selected to test the limits of the new technology.

As well as making a direct comparison between the microfibre system and traditional methods, the hospital's Infection Control team were interested in the practicalities of introducing a new cleaning concept to contract cleaning staff. One such practicality when using the microfibre technology is the avoidance of using 'dirty mops' - a widely
reported contributor to the spread of infections such as MRSA.

Over 1500 environmental samples were taken over a four week period using a double blind crossover scenario in two defined areas within a 16-bedded isolation ward - usually used for cohort isolation of MRSA patients.

Using standardised methodology and by using the same individual throughout to control the results, samples were taken from floors; laminar surfaces; lockers; windowsills; curtain rails; patient's tables; contoured surfaces and towel dispensers.

The final results were compiled by an independent laboratory (Industrial Microbiological Services Limited, UK) and the findings were conclusive.

Although using the hypochlorite method statistically showed a greater reduction in the number of aerobic bacteria on both floors and laminar surfaces, Whipps Cross Deputy Director of Infection Prevention & Control, Lone Sarosi explains that the microfibre technology has no need to use dirty mops with the hazards of spreading gram-negative bacteria in wet environments and, Health and Safety advantages include chemical avoidance and the use of heavy buckets of solutions.

The results confirm that no statistical difference between the two cleaning methods could be defined although some results favoured the hypochlorite method, which it's important to state is not used throughout the hospital for general cleaning. Caustic hypochlorite is generally used on hospital wards in extreme conditions only and rarely used on a day-to-day basis, whereas the microfibre method offers a cleaner-friendly and more practical method for daily cleaning of hospital wards.

A letter fully detailing the research concludes that: 'The operators were unanimously positive and reported a more user friendly, speedier system and visually cleaner appearance where the microfibre system had been used and which left more time to do high cleaning due to the additional accessories the system offers.'

Notes
The independent results were carried out by the Industrial Microbiological Services Limited UK and received approval from the local Research and Development Committee and local Ethics Committee.

A full report of the findings is available on request.

The microfibre system used in the trial was called the Jonmaster Microfibre System developed by JohnsonDiversey.

(22/9/04)

NHS Trust Adopts Revolutionary Cleaning System

Airedale NHS Trust is to be the first hospital in-house cleaning team to use a new microfibre cleaning system.

The Jonmaster system will revolutionise the way the hospital staff clean and help prevent the spread of infection in the hospital and act as a front line defence against MRSA.

Airedale's domestic services staff, the first in-house cleaning team in the country to use the new system, will be equipped with the new microfibre mops, cloths and trolleys which will reduce the amount of
physical effort required, and produce a quicker and more effective cleaning result.

New standards of cleanliness were introduced by the Department of Health in 2001 and Airedale NHS Trust agreed to conduct a baseline cleanliness audit and an investigation into the cleaning systems available.  At that time the Jonmaster system was newly launched and the most efficient and
effective cleaning system available for hospital cleaning.

The Trust began trialling the new system in August 2003 and found:

* that there was no need for cleaning chemicals apart from inside
toilets
* significantly more effective removal of high level dust
* significant time saved
* reduced bending, lifting and twisting for staff

The benefits of the new Jonmaster cleaning system:

* Removes 99% of bacteria from the surface compared to 30% with traditional cleaning methods
* Moves dust and dirt away and doesn't just move it around
* The surface dries in a fraction of the time so reduces the risk of slips and falls
* Helps prevent the spread of infection - for example no dust particles go into the air with the new system, which will help stop the spread of the Norwalk virus
* Cloths and mops are easier and more comfortable to use
* Tools are always easy to hand - no more searching for equipment
* Uses a fraction of the water so no more heavy buckets of water and no heavy lifting
* Mops and cloths are reusable 500 times
* Better for the environment - reduced water, reduced chemicals, controls allergens put into the air

The cloths are made from a special ultra microfibre  - so fine each ffibre is less than 100th the thickness of a human hair.  These can then be used dry, where the cloths create a static charge which attracts dust
and bacteria, holding it in like barbed wire until it is washed; or damp where a capillary action pulls the dirt in and traps it again until the cloth is washed.

When washed, the cloths are cleaned and refreshed but importantly are also thermally disinfected.  All cloths will be laundered at the on-site laundry. The Trust has received advice from the company on the
appropriate laundering procedures, which include separate washing of cloths and mops at a temperature of up to but not exceeding 92 degrees Celsius.

An infection control report, produced by Whipps Cross University Hospital , showed that trials found that cleaning with Jonmaster cloths was equally as effective as cleaning with 1% hypochlorite solution.  The
infection control team at Airedale NHS Trust were also therefore a vital part of the planning process and supported the view that as microfibre removes dirt more effectively, levels of environmental soil which
promote bacterial growth will be greatly reduced.

The system is being rolled out in the Trust from 1 November 2004 and will be phased across the hospital wards over a two month period.

The Trust will also be keeping their public informed by producing and distributing leaflets for patients and visitors to give them an understanding of the new ways the hospital will be cleaned.  This is to be done to ensure the public realise that whilst less physical effort will be put into the cleaning, the results will be hugely improved.

ABOUT JOHNSON DIVERSEY
With operations in more than 60 countries, JohnsonDiversey is a leading global provider of cleaning and hygiene solutions to the institutional and industrial marketplace, serving customers in the lodging, food
service, retail, healthcare, food & beverage sectors as well as building service contractors worldwide. JohnsonDiversey was formed in May 2002 when Racine, Wisconsin, USA-based Johnson Wax Professional acquired DiverseyLever from global food conglomerate Unilever Plc.
JohnsonDiversey employs more than 14,000 people worldwide.

JohnsonDiversey UK Headquarters
Weston Favell Centre
Northampton
NN3 8PD
+44 1604 405 311

(19/11/04)