Contamination of Hospital Surfaces by Candida Species: Insights and Key Findings

A 2019 study, Environmental Contamination with Candida Species in Multiple Hospitals Including a Tertiary Care Hospital with a Candida auris Outbreak, discusses a six-month study completed in six US hospitals spanning four states. Cultures of Candida species were collected from high-touch surfaces in patient rooms, portable equipment, and additional cultures from sink drains and floors in one of the hospitals.

Study Background:

The study highlights that Candida species often contaminate hospital surfaces, particularly floor and sink drains. However, C.auris contamination was uncommon in a facility experiencing an outbreak, suggesting that current cleaning and disinfection practices can effectively minimize environmental contamination. Notably, C. auris was recovered from high-touch surfaces during the period when

• Once-daily bleach wipe disinfection was performed in C. auris rooms,
• But not when the frequency of disinfection was increased to three times daily with a chlorine-based spray disinfectant.

This data suggests that current cleaning practices, including the frequency of applying a sporicidal disinfectant in C.auris rooms, can effectively minimize environmental contamination.

The findings highlight the following key points:

Prevalence of Candida:

• Patient Rooms and Equipment: Candida species were found in 4.8% of patient room cultures and 1.8% of portable equipment cultures.
• Common Species: The most frequently isolated species was Candida parapsilosis.
• Additional Samples: 36.4% of hospital floor samples and 23.5% of sink drain samples tested positive for Candida.

Effectiveness of Cleaning Practices:

• C. auris Contamination: Despite an ongoing outbreak, C. auris contamination was uncommon, indicating effective current cleaning and disinfection practices can effectively minimize environmental contamination
• Disinfection Frequency: C. auris was detected on high-touch surfaces with once-daily bleach wipe disinfection but not when the frequency increased to three times daily with a chlorine-based spray disinfectant. This suggests that frequent application of a sporicidal disinfectant can significantly minimize environmental contamination.

Key Highlights:

• Hospital floors and sink drains showed the highest frequency of Candida species.
• Effective cleaning and disinfection practices can minimize environmental contamination.
• Increased disinfection frequency, particularly with chlorine-based sprays, can prevent C. auris contamination on high-touch surfaces.

Interesting Points:

• Healthcare-Associated Infections: Candida species are an important cause of infections in healthcare settings, especially in immunocompromised and critically ill patients. C. auris, a drug-resistant pathogen, has a mortality rate of 30-50% and can cause various infections, including ear, wound, urinary tract, and bloodstream infections.
• Transmission: The hands of healthcare personnel are considered the most notable source of patient-to-patient transmission of Candida species.
• Product Efficacy: Our NaDCC effervescent products have proven efficacy against C. auris. In the USA, kersia Healthcare has completed testing against antibiotic-resistant Candida auris, demonstrating effectiveness at 4306 ppm with a 4-minute contact time using Klorsept and Klorkleen 2.

This study emphasizes the importance of rigorous cleaning and disinfection practices in healthcare settings to control the spread of Candida species, particularly the drug-resistant C. auris. Maintaining high hygiene standards and increasing the frequency of disinfection can be crucial in protecting vulnerable patient populations from these infections.

Contact our National Sales Director if you would like more information on the chemistry and effectiveness of our NaDCC infection prevention tablets: Chris Butler

Reference:

Link to paper: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31768483/