Decontamination ; Disinfection ; Manikins ; Protective Clothing ; Personal Protective Equipment ; Health Personnel

OBJECTIVE: To study the effectiveness and feasibility of cryogenic disinfectants in different cold scenarios and analyze the key points of on-site cryogenic disinfection. METHODS: Qingdao and Suifenhe were selected as application sites for the manual or mechanical spraying of cryogenic disinfectants. The same amount of disinfectant (3,000 mg/L) was applied on cold chain food packaging, cold chain containers, transport vehicles, alpine environments, and article surfaces. The killing log value of the cryogenic disinfectant against the indicator microorganisms ( Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli) was used to evaluate the on-site disinfection effect. RESULTS: When using 3,000 mg/L with an action time of 10 min on the ground in alpine regions, the surface of frozen items, cold-chain containers, and cold chain food packaging in supermarkets, all external surfaces were successfully disinfected, with a pass rate of 100%. The disinfection pass rates for cold chain food packaging and cold chain transport vehicles of centralized supervised warehouses and food processing enterprises were 12.5% (15/120), 81.67% (49/60), and 93.33% (14/15), respectively; yet, the surfaces were not fully sprayed. CONCLUSION Cryogenic disinfectants are effective in disinfecting alpine environments and the outer packaging of frozen items. The application of cryogenic disinfectants should be regulated to ensure that they cover all surfaces of the disinfected object, thus ensuring effective cryogenic disinfection.
Humans ; Disinfectants/pharmacology* ; Disinfection ; Escherichia coli ; Staphylococcal Infections ; Staphylococcus aureus

Experimental model of Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilm was established in vitro by using biofilm reactor. The aim of this study was evaluating the removal effect of two kinds of water flowing through bactericide resin on Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilm, and exploring the effectiveness of continuous treatment with low concentration disinfection factor on dental unit waterlines. The experimental group selected 1-2 mg/L iodinated resin (IR) filtered water and bromined hydantoin resin (BHR) filtered water with the control group selecting the sterile distilled water. Biofilms were treated by using the immersion method for 3, 7, 10, 20, and 40 days. Total viable count (TVC) and laser confocal microscopy method (CLSM) were selected to evaluate the biofilm removal effect. The result of TVC showed that in group IR, the bacterial clearance after the treatment of 3, 7, 10, and 20 days was lower than 99.9% and unqualified. The bacterial clearance after the treatment of 40 days was 99.9%,which is qualified. In group BHR, it was lower than 99.9% and unqualified after the treatment of 3, 7, and 10 days. It was and 99.99%, 100.00% after the treatment of 20, 40 days, respectively. The result of CLSM showed that before treatment, Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilm showed a sheet and mass distribution. The bacterial coverage was 19.24%±1.97%. The proportion of viable bacteria was 93.91%±1.39%, and the biofilm matrix coverage was 17.69%±1.11%. After 20 days of treatment, the biofilm was decreased in the IR group, with the biofilm bacterial coverage reducing to 6.77%±1.61%, the proportion of live bacteria reducing to 54.85%±5.65%, and the biofilm matrix coverage reducing to 2.41%±0.85%.There was significant difference from the pre-treatment and the control (F=359.996,P<0.001). No biofilm-like structure was found in the BHR group. After 40 days of treatment, there was still a small amount of biofilm matrix residue in the IR group, with no bacterial coverage observed. The biofilm matrix coverage was 0.67%±0.47% (F=1 021.373,P<0.001). No biofilm-like structure was found in the BHR group. In conclusion, the continuous application of BHR filter water has more advantages in killing microorganisms in biofilms, removing live and dead bacteria and biofilm matrix in biofilms. Treatment water containing corresponding low concentration disinfection factors can play an important role in the field of biofilm control in dental unit waterlines.
Humans ; Disinfection/methods* ; Pseudomonas aeruginosa ; Biofilms ; Water/pharmacology*

Experimental model of Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilm was established in vitro by using biofilm reactor. The aim of this study was evaluating the removal effect of two kinds of water flowing through bactericide resin on Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilm, and exploring the effectiveness of continuous treatment with low concentration disinfection factor on dental unit waterlines. The experimental group selected 1-2 mg/L iodinated resin (IR) filtered water and bromined hydantoin resin (BHR) filtered water with the control group selecting the sterile distilled water. Biofilms were treated by using the immersion method for 3, 7, 10, 20, and 40 days. Total viable count (TVC) and laser confocal microscopy method (CLSM) were selected to evaluate the biofilm removal effect. The result of TVC showed that in group IR, the bacterial clearance after the treatment of 3, 7, 10, and 20 days was lower than 99.9% and unqualified. The bacterial clearance after the treatment of 40 days was 99.9%,which is qualified. In group BHR, it was lower than 99.9% and unqualified after the treatment of 3, 7, and 10 days. It was and 99.99%, 100.00% after the treatment of 20, 40 days, respectively. The result of CLSM showed that before treatment, Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilm showed a sheet and mass distribution. The bacterial coverage was 19.24%±1.97%. The proportion of viable bacteria was 93.91%±1.39%, and the biofilm matrix coverage was 17.69%±1.11%. After 20 days of treatment, the biofilm was decreased in the IR group, with the biofilm bacterial coverage reducing to 6.77%±1.61%, the proportion of live bacteria reducing to 54.85%±5.65%, and the biofilm matrix coverage reducing to 2.41%±0.85%.There was significant difference from the pre-treatment and the control (F=359.996,P<0.001). No biofilm-like structure was found in the BHR group. After 40 days of treatment, there was still a small amount of biofilm matrix residue in the IR group, with no bacterial coverage observed. The biofilm matrix coverage was 0.67%±0.47% (F=1 021.373,P<0.001). No biofilm-like structure was found in the BHR group. In conclusion, the continuous application of BHR filter water has more advantages in killing microorganisms in biofilms, removing live and dead bacteria and biofilm matrix in biofilms. Treatment water containing corresponding low concentration disinfection factors can play an important role in the field of biofilm control in dental unit waterlines.
Humans ; Disinfection/methods* ; Pseudomonas aeruginosa ; Biofilms ; Water/pharmacology*

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the baseline levels of microorganisms' growth on the hands of anesthesiologists and in the anesthesia environment at a cancer hospital. METHODS: This study performed in nine operating rooms and among 25 anesthesiologists at a cancer hospital. Sampling of the hands of anesthesiologists and the anesthesia environment was performed at a ready-to-use operating room before patient contact began and after decontamination. RESULTS: Microorganisms' growth results showed that 20% (5/25) of anesthesiologists' hands carried microorganisms (> 10 CFU/cm ²) before patient contact began. Female anesthesiologists performed hand hygiene better than did their male counterparts, with fewer CFUs ( P = 0.0069) and fewer species ( P = 0.0202). Our study also found that 55.6% (5/9) of ready-to-use operating rooms carried microorganisms (> 5 CFU/cm ²). Microorganisms regrowth began quickly (1 hour) after disinfection, and increased gradually over time, reaching the threshold at 4 hours after disinfection. Staphylococcus aureus was isolated from the hands of 20% (5/25) of anesthesiologists and 33.3% (3/9) of operating rooms. CONCLUSION Our study indicates that male anesthesiologists need to pay more attention to the standard operating procedures and effect evaluation of hand hygiene, daily cleaning rate of the operating room may be insufficient, and we would suggest that there should be a repeat cleaning every four hours.
Female ; Humans ; Male ; Anesthesia ; Anesthesiologists/statistics & numerical data* ; Disinfection/standards* ; Hand Hygiene/statistics & numerical data* ; Staphylococcal Infections ; Operating Rooms/statistics & numerical data* ; Staphylococcus aureus/isolation & purification*

Disinfection ; Research ; Mass Screening

Purpose: This study aims to compare surgical scrubbing with and without a brush in decreasing the number of germ colonies on hands. Background: Surgical scrubbing with and without a brush are currently popular worldwide. To date, the optimal method in decreasing the number of germ colonies on the hands is not known. Methods: Systematic review of effectiveness was conducted. The databases and publisher websites included PubMed, Science Direct, Google Scholar, Wiley Online Library, Cochrane Library and recruitment studies published between 2009-2019. The risk of bias was assessed utilizing Cochrane Collaboration's tool. Results: Included clinical studies consisting of five randomized controlled trials. The procedures and duration of surgical scrubbing on each study varied depending on the protocol as a reference. All clinical studies found no difference in the number of colonyforming units (CFU) on the hand between surgical scrubbing with and without a brush. Conclusions Scrubbing with and without a brush showed similar efficacy in terms of the number of germ colonies on the hands.
Hand Disinfection

INTRODUCTION: As part of infection control measures for COVID-19, individuals have been encouraged to adopt both preventive (such as handwashing) and avoidant behavioural changes (e.g. avoiding crowds). In this study, we examined whether demographics predicted the likelihood that a person would adopt these behaviours in Singapore. METHODS: A total of 1,145 participants responded to an online survey conducted between 7 March and 21 April 2020. We collected demographic information and asked participants to report which of 17 behaviour changes they had undertaken because of the COVID-19 outbreak. Regression analyses were performed to predict the number of behavioural changes (preventive, avoidant, and total) as a function of demographics. Finally, we sought to identify predictors of persons who declared that they had not undertaken any of these measures following the outbreak. RESULTS: Most participants (97%) reported at least one behavioural change on account of the pandemic, with changes increasing with the number of local COVID-19 cases ( CONCLUSION Our characterisation of behavioural changes provides a baseline for public health advisories. Moving forward, health authorities can focus their efforts on encouraging segments of the population who do not readily adopt infection control measures against COVID-19.
Adult ; Age Factors ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; COVID-19/psychology* ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Hand Disinfection/trends* ; Health Behavior ; Health Policy ; Health Surveys ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pandemics ; Physical Distancing ; Risk-Taking ; Self Report ; Sex Factors ; Singapore/epidemiology* ; Socioeconomic Factors

BACKGROUND: Public perceptions and personal characteristics are heterogeneous between countries and subgroups, which may have different impacts on health-protective behaviors during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. To assess whether self-reported perceptions of COVID-19 and personal characteristics are associated with protective behaviors among general adults and to compare patterns in six different countries. METHODS: This cross-sectional study uses the secondary data collected through an online survey between 15 and 23 April 2020 across six countries (China, Italy, Japan, Korea, the UK, and the USA). A total of 5945 adults aged 18 years or older were eligible for our analysis. A logistic regression model was used to estimate odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (95%CI) of three recommended behaviors (wearing a mask, handwashing, and avoiding social gatherings). RESULTS: In most countries except for China, the participants who perceived wearing a mask as being extremely effective to curtail the pandemic were more likely to wear a mask (OR, 95%CI: Italy: 4.14, 2.08-8.02; Japan: 3.59, 1.75-7.30; Korea: 7.89, 1.91-31.63: UK: 9.23, 5.14-17.31; USA: 4.81, 2.61-8.92). Those who perceived that handwashing was extremely effective had higher ORs of this preventive behavior (OR, 95%CI: Italy: 16.39, 3.56-70.18; Japan: 12.24, 4.03-37.35; Korea: 12.41, 2.02-76.39; UK: 18.04, 2.60-152.78; USA: 10.56, 2.21-44.32). The participants who perceived avoiding social gathering as being extremely effective to curtail the pandemic were more likely to take this type of preventive behavior (OR, 95%CI: China: 3.79, 1.28-10.23; Korea: 6.18, 1.77-20.60; UK: 4.45, 1.63-11.63; USA: 4.34, 1.84-9.95). The associations between personal characteristics, living environment, psychological status, and preventive behaviors varied across different countries. Individuals who changed their behavior because of recommendations from doctors/public health officials were more likely to take preventive behaviors in many countries. CONCLUSIONS These findings suggest that higher perceived effectiveness may be a common factor to encourage preventive behaviors in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. These results may provide a better understanding of the homogeneity and heterogeneity of factors related to preventive behaviors and improve public health policies in various countries and groups.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Attitude to Health ; COVID-19/psychology* ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Female ; Hand Disinfection ; Health Behavior ; Humans ; Male ; Masks ; Middle Aged ; Physical Distancing ; SARS-CoV-2 ; Self Report ; Social Conformity ; Young Adult

Focusing on the requirements of visual traceability for reprocessing of reused medical devices under the background of deep integration of intelligent medical treatment, a quality and safety traceability system for disinfection of reused medical devices is developed. The multi-dimensional data of the reprocessing chain of reusable medical devices are acquired in real time by the RFID mobile terminal handset and stored temporarily. The data package is formatted based on LoRa protocol and uploaded to the management and control platform in multi-threaded transmission mode for in-depth analysis and traceability. The corresponding prototype system is developed. The first-line operation and maintenance test results show that the prototype system has strong cooperation, strong operation robustness, and obvious advantages in the identification rate and other layers of sterile equipment package.
Disinfection ; Radio Frequency Identification Device ; Technology