A scientific study on the impact furniture has on

IF YOU CAN’T CLEAN IT DON’T BUY ITA scientific study on the impact furniture has on infection prevention and control

Research Commissioned by

www.healthcentric.com

Furniture and Furnishings• Part of the Environment of the Client/Patient/Resident

• Low touch but potential for infection spread• Non-critical but still important

• Requirements for any furniture/furnishings• Choosing finishes, furnishings and equipment that are cleanable• Ensuring compatibility of the health care setting’s cleaning and

disinfecting agents with the items and surfaces to be cleaned• Identifying when items can no longer be cleaned due to damage.

• If you can’t clean it, don’t buy it.• PIDAC 2012, p26


The Trouble With Cleaning• Not everyone does it the same

• Everyone has their own method regardless of training• Different supply of cleaning materials

• Compliance can be a concern• Not only in terms of protocol but even what cleaning agent to use• The Windex principle

• Furniture and furnishings make for a difficult challenge• Unlike other IPC concerns mentioned in PIDAC• Specifically due to two major reasons


lferrara

Typewritten Text

lferrara

Typewritten Text

Furniture Requirements • Cleanability

• Compatible with detergents, disinfectants cleaners• Fast and efficient

• Inability to support microbial growth• Wood & cotton bad• Plastic and metal good

• Surface porosity should be minimal• Less chance for microbes to hide

• Absence of seams• Recently became an important issue


Seamless Fabrics• Provide consistent flat surface

• Can mitigate porosity concerns

• Can be easily cleaned without worry of residue

• Can be produced with today’s technologies

• May offer a means for improved infection prevention


Another Seamless Approach• Advanced surface coatings have emerged

• Over 30 years of research and innovation

• Not based on polyvinyl chloride• No risk from phthalates

• Puncture and tear resistance • Increases life of furniture

• Antimicrobial properties?• Coatings can offer a form of passive disinfection if done right


The Wonders of PU! (Polyurethane)

• Offers seamless coating with compatible fabrics

• PU consists of a combination of oxygen and amine motifs • Create an environment that is durable, non-porous and resistant to

microbial colonization


Coatings Study


Experimental Design• Test Fabrics

• Hospital Grade Vinyl (Control) & PU-coated fabric (Test)• Cut into 1 inch squared pieces including seams

• Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 6538) • 0.02 mL spread over the surface• Allowed to dry for 45 minutes

• Cleaning Method• Wiped with a disinfectant wipe (Cavi Wipes)• Neutralized after 3 minutes


Log Reduction After Wipe Test

0

0.5

1

1.5

2

2.5

3

3.5

Control 1 Control 2 PU 1 PU 2

log

base

10

redu

ctio

n


Interpretation• Fabric was cleanable with readily available products

• Fabric did not support microbial growth in controls

• Coatings reduced presence of seams and porosity

• Coating exhibited antimicrobial effect


SUMMARY• Furniture continues to be a challenge for IPC

• PIDAC has specific sections to address this issue

• Coatings offer an alternate option • Polyurethane has been effective option for over 40 years

• Coatings offer increased cost-efficacy • Up to a decade of use without loss of function• Easy to clean and can save time while cleaning

• Passive methods increasing in multimodal approach• Can help to reduce spread without constant monitoring


THANK YOU…


A scientific study on the impact furniture has on

Healthcare

Transcript of A scientific study on the impact furniture has on