Presentation by Dr. Christopher Truitt, Chief Science Officer, Infection Controls, Inc. at the Smart Health Conference 2018, held at Bally's Las Vegas on the 26-27th of April, 2018.

1. A Multifaceted Approach
in Reducing Healthcare
Pathogens
By Dr. Christopher Truitt

2. Chief Science Officer of, GERMBLAST
Disclosure

3. “Nightmare bacteria”
are trying
to spread in
the U.S., CDC says
https://www.nbcnews.com/health/health-news/nightmare-bacteria-are-trying-spread-u-s-cdc-says-n862436
“The Flu Season
Is the Worst in
Nearly a Decade”
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/01/26/health/flu-rates-deaths.html
Recent Headlines!

4. Importance:
• 722,000 occurrences in 2011 in acute care hospitals
• Approximately 75,000 deaths
• Estimated cost of $9.8 billon (2012 dollars)
Any given day 1 in 25 patients have at least
one Healthcare-Associated Infection!
Magill SS et al. N Engl J Med. 2014; 370:1198-1208.
Zimlichman E et al. AMA Intern Med 2013; 173:2039-2046.
The Problem: Healthcare-
Associated Infections

5. Sources of Pathogens Causing
HAIs
1. Weinstein RA. Am J Med. 1991; 91:(Suppl 3B):179S-184S.
2. Hayden et al. Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol. 2008; 29:149-154.
3. Stiefel et al. Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol. 2011; 32:185-187.
4. Guerrero et al. Am J Infect Control. 2012; 40:556-558.
Reservoirs1
• Endogenous microflora- approx. 50%
• Cross infection via hands of healthcare personnel
(HCP)- approx. 30%
• Environmental surfaces- approx. 20%
Potential Contamination from HCP
• 52% acquired VRE on hands2
• 45% acquired MRSA on hands3
• 50% acquired C. difficile on hands4

6. Increased HAI Acquisition Risk
from Prior Room Occupant
0% 100% 200% 300% 400%
Huang
Hardy
Dress
Shaugnessy
Datta
Nseir
Nseir
MRSA
MRSA
C. difficile
MRSA
Pseudomonas
Acinetobacter
Mean = 120%
Increased Risk of Acquisition (%)
Carling P et al. Am J Infect Control. 2013 Nov; 41:S20-S25.
VRE

7. Thoroughness of Environmental Cleaning
in Multiple Health Care Settings
Carling P et al. Am J Infect Control. 2013 Nov; 41:S20-S25.
Mean 42%

8. Survival Rate of Pathogens
Pathogen Survival
C. difficile Months - Years
VRE Weeks
MRSA Weeks
Acinetobacter spp. Weeks-Months
Klebsiella Days
Otter and French. J Clin Microbiol 2009; 47:205-207.
Wagenvoort et al. J Hops Infect 2011; 77:282-283.

9. “Given the choice of improving technology
or improving human behavior, technology
is the better choice.”
Dr. Weinstein 1998
Weinstein RA. Emerg Infect Dis. 1998; 4:416-420.

10. The Solution: Multifaceted
Approach
Environmental
Disinfection
Staff Education/
Training
Stakeholder
Awareness
Data Collection/
Analysis

11. Microfiber breaks down biofilms and physically
removes dirt and microbes
Embedded with silver or copper ions to enhance
antimicrobial properties of fiber
Environmental Disinfection-
Microfiber

12. Focus on high contact areas from multiple users
Common areas:
• Door knobs or push plates, chairs, sinks, fixtures, desks,
railings, OR suites, nursing stations, etc.
Uncommon areas:
• IV Poles, dispensers, and Kleenex boxes
A targeted disinfectant cleaning approach can
significantly decrease the spread of disease from the
environment
Critical Touch Points

13. Emerging Technologies
Tablets/Phone Disinfection
UV Light
Chemicals
Steam
Aerosolized Hydrogen Peroxide
Biostatic Polymers
Photocatalytic Oxidation (PCO)

14. When innovative technology is combined with traditional cleaning
practices, the result is a high level of disinfection
Environmental Disinfection- Potential
Results

15. Data Collection and Analysis
Adenosine Triphosphate
(ATP) Sampling
• Quantitative rapid results
• Can be linked to data
tracking software
• Provides quantitative data
to make decisions prior to
any illness or outbreak

16. Environmental ATP Data
Allows analysis over
time to find areas for
improvement
Useful to improve
training
Eliminates
opportunities for
illness/infection
0
125
250
375
500
RelativeLightUnits(RLU)
Average ATP Data

17. Environmental Data Use
Allows detection of high
environmental values
• Improper disinfection
process
• Personel changes
Ability to respond to
abnormal values quicker,
potentially preventing
unwanted illness
134
157
187
132
256
149
0
65
130
195
260
325
RelativeLightUnits(RLU)
Average ATP Data

18. Staff Education
Hand Hygiene
Proper Chemical
Usage
Antimicrobial
Stewardship
Chain of
Infection

19. Stakeholder Awareness
Creating an awareness within all stakeholders that each play a
role in keeping the fight outside the body

20. Questions