Dental Tribune United Kingdom Edition

Infection Control H ospitalsuperbugscanfloat on air currents and con- taminate surfaces far from infected patients’ beds, according toUniversityofLeedsresearchers. Theresultsofthestudy,whichwas funded by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Coun- cil (EPSRC), may explain why, despite strict cleaning regimes and hygiene controls, some hospi- tals still struggle to prevent bacte- ria moving from patient to patient. It is already recognised that hospital superbugs, such as MRSA and C-difficile, can be spread through contact. Patients, visitors or even hospital staff can inad- vertently touch surfaces contami- nated with bacteria and then pass the infection on to others, result- ing in a great stress in hospitals on keeping hands and surfaces clean. But the University of Leeds research showed that coughing, sneezing or shaking the bed- clothes can send superbugs into flight, allowing them to contami- nate recently-cleaned surfaces. PhDstudentMarco-FelipeKing used a biological aerosol cham- ber, one of a handful in the world, to replicate conditions in one- and two-bedded hospital rooms. He released tiny aerosol droplets containing Staphyloccusaureus, a bacteria related to MRSA, from a heated mannequin simulating the heat emitted by a human body. He placed open Petri dishes where other patients’ beds, bedside ta- bles, chairs and washbasins might be and then checked where the bacteria landed and grew. Theresultsconfirmedthatcon- tamination can spread to surfaces across a ward. “The level of con- tamination immediately around the patient’s bed was high but you would expect that. Hospitals keep beds clean and disinfect the tables and surfaces next to beds,” said Dr Cath Noakes, from the Uni- versity’s School of Civil Engineer- ing, who supervised the work. “However, we also captured sig- nificant quantities of bacteria right across the room, up to 3.5 metres away and especially along the route of the airflows in the room.” “We now need to find out whether this airborne dispersion is an important route of spreading infection,” added co-supervisor Dr Andy Sleigh. The researchers are hoping that computer modelling will help them determine the risk. The findings have been compared to airflow simulations of the mock- up hospital rooms and the re- search team have shown that they are able to accurately predict how airborne particles can be depos- ited on surfaces. The international design and engineering firm Arup, which designs hospitals, part sponsored the study. Phil Nedin, director and global healthcare business leader at Arup, said: “We are looking at healthcare facilities of the future and it is important that we look at key issues such as infection control. Being involved in microbiological studies that inform airflow modelling in po- tentially infectious environments allows us to get a clear under- standing of the risks in these par- ticular environments.” The paper “Bioaerosol Depo- sition in Single and Two-Bed Hos- pital Rooms: A Numerical and Experimental Study” is published in the journal Building and Envi- ronment. DT Superbugs ride air currents around hospital wards Nov 26 - Dec 3, 201220 United Kingdom Edition MicroThread™ – biomechanical bone stimulation OsseoSpeed™ – more bone more rapidly Conical Seal Design™ – a strong and stable fit Connective Contour™ – increased soft tissue contact zone and volume BioManagement Complex™ The success of an implant system cannot be determined by one single feature alone. Just as with all natural systems, the delicate balance is maintained by  the interaction of different but equally important features. The ASTRA TECH Implant System supports this natural balance through a unique combination of interdependent features – the ASTRA TECH Implant System BioManagement Complex™ . It is designed to ensure long-term clinical success by stimulating bone growth, providing bone preservation, soft tissue health and architecture. To put it simply: function, beauty and biology in perfect harmony. DENTSPLY Implants UK & Ireland, Brunel Way, Stonehouse, GL10 3GB Phone: +44 (0)845 450 0586 Fax: +44 (0)1453 793200 Email: implants.uk@dentsply.com Web: www.dentsplyimplants.co.uk 78786-GB-1208 BioManagement Complex .indd 1 26/10/2012 15:24:55