Johns Hopkins Hospital Study Shows Hydrogen Peroxide Vapor Technology Reduces Patient Risk of Superbug Infection

HORSHAM, Pa., Jan. 2, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- A new study conducted by infection control experts at Johns Hopkins Hospital demonstrates that patients admitted to hospital rooms decontaminated using Bioquell hydrogen peroxide vapor technology, rather than standard cleaning protocols, were significantly less likely to acquire multidrug-resistant organisms (MDROs), or so-called hospital superbugs. The study is published in this month's issue of Clinical Infectious Diseases.

The Bioquell system consists of automated devices that disperse an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)-registered sterilant into the air and onto surfaces and then convert the sterilant to a harmless state.

Previous research has shown that being admitted to a hospital room where the previous patient was infected or colonized with an MDRO, such as Clostridium difficile, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) or vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE), increases the subsequent patient's chance of acquisition. The objective of this study was to determine whether the Bioquell system, which has been shown to eliminate surface contamination in patient rooms, could negate this risk. Researchers found that patients admitted to rooms decontaminated using the automated technology were 64% less likely to acquire MDROs compared to patients admitted to rooms disinfected using conventional methods, such as mopping with bleaching agents.

"The findings indicate that Bioquell hydrogen peroxide vapor disinfection should be implemented in high-risk environments to maximize patient safety," said James Salkeld, head of healthcare at Bioquell. "Before this research, hospitals had legitimately asked whether they could afford the 90 minutes it takes to perform a Bioquell cycle. With the study showing acquisition being reduced by over 50% in patients admitted to decontaminated rooms, this begs a new question: can they afford not to?"

Study Design and Results

The 30-month prospective cohort study was performed on six high-risk units. Following a 12-month pre-intervention phase, hydrogen peroxide vapor (HPV) was implemented on 3 units to decontaminate the rooms of patients known to be infected with MDROs, following their discharge. Researchers noted that the prior room occupant was known to be infected with an MDRO in 22% of 6350 admissions.  Monthly environmental samples for MDROs were collected on all study units for three pre-intervention months and six intervention months.  The risk of MDRO acquisition in patients admitted to rooms decontaminated using HPV was compared with rooms disinfected using standard methods.

Patients admitted to rooms decontaminated using HPV were 64% less likely to acquire any MDRO (incidence rate ratio [IRR], 0.36; 95% confidence interval [CI], .19-.70; p<.001) and 80% less likely to acquire VRE (IRR, 0.20; 95% CI, .08-.52; p< .001) after adjusting for other factors.  The proportion of rooms environmentally contaminated with MDROs was reduced significantly on the HPV units (relative risk, 0.65, p= .03), but not on non-HPV units.

Over 1,300 rooms were decontaminated using HPV during the course of the study, with no health and safety problems reported. The implementation of Bioquell's advanced technology was also reported to be well accepted by unit staff. Bioquell, Inc. provided the hydrogen peroxide vapor generators and supplies for the study, as part of the company's commitment to support infection control research.  

The study can be found on the Clinical Infectious Diseases website at http://cid.oxfordjournals.org/content/early/2012/10/01/cid.cis839.abstract

About Bioquell

Bioquell specializes in the design, manufacture and application of complete bio-decontamination solutions for airborne and surface contamination in the healthcare, life sciences, food production and defense sectors. Bioquell's unique hydrogen peroxide vapor (HPV) bio-decontamination technology has been used across the globe to eradicate problematic bacteria, viruses and fungi, throughout a wide range of applications. Deployment of Bioquell's HPV process provides residue-free, safe and repeatable sterilization of rooms, buildings, equipment and sensitive electronics. It is a clear alternative when replacing traditional decontaminants such as formaldehyde or chlorine-based products.

Bioquell also provides customized chemical, biological, radioactive and nuclear (CBRN) filtration equipment for different applications in the defense industry. This equipment is complemented by integral air conditioning systems and auxiliary power units. For more information, please visit www.bioquellus.com.

SOURCE Bioquell