sani2015chem

There’s an emerging global epidemic of Mycobacterium chimaera infections following cardiothoracic surgery associated with contaminated heater-cooler units (machines that are used in theatre during some procedures). It has been established that water within the machines can become contaminated with Mycobacterium species, and that this can create a bio-aerosol that finds its way into the surgical field and causes an infection. However, a recent study from China highlights the potential for surfaces on the heater-cooler units to be reservoirs for Mycobacterium. The study was performed as part of an investigation into a string of cases of Mycobacterium chimaera surgical infections following [...]

The BETR-D Study: The first and only randomized clinical trial on UVC Disinfection Background According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there are more than 700,000 hospital-acquired infections (HAIs) every year in the U.S., and more than 75,000 of those patients die as a result.1 With HAI rates increasing and more superbugs discovered each year, it is critical for hospitals to provide the cleanest environments possible to protect patients and staff from infections. Since its inception in 2007, UVC disinfection has been proven by multiple studies to be an effective means of enhanced terminal room [...]