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Clostridium Difficile

Hygiene Management for Care Utensils

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The comprehensive white paper on the problem of spores and hygiene measures to combat it

Clostridium difficile (meanwhile on recommendation of the Robert-Koch-Institute Clostridioides difficile) is a highly contagious bug. It is particularly dangerous because it can spread so quickly This white paper provides information about typical transmission routes and insights into effective hygiene management for cases of C. diff, focusing on effective cleaning using cleaning and disinfection machines as a significant factor in hygiene management.

 

Contents:

  • C. difficile: transmission
  • Pathogen profile
  • Prevention
  • User study
  • Bedpan processing

Simply enter your email address and you will receive the white paper on Clostridium difficile delivered conveniently to your inbox.

 

The benefits of integrated bedpan washing units

cleaning and disinfection machine TopLine by MEIKO
cleaning and disinfection machine integrated in patient's bathroom

Fully automatic emptying, cleaning and disinfection of care utensils in a cleaning and disinfection machine minimises the risk of contamination or re-contamination. A high standard of hygiene, as well as optimising occupational safety and user friendliness are inherent features of MEIKO cleaning and disinfection machines. They convince by features such as:

  • the door on the TopLine cleaning and disinfection machine can be fitted with an automatic infrared control system or a foot switch to open it preventing contamination via hands 
  • the cleaning and disinfection machine can be built into the wall in the patient's room or wet room minimising the danger of pathogen transmission by keeping transportation distances short 
  • one-touch operation with large buttons, clear symbols and information in plain text keep potential for user error to a minimum

The magic combination of mechanics, heat and chemicals

C. difficile spores are renowned for their resistance to oxygen and heat. An Avalue of 60 (80 °C for a duration of 60 seconds) does not kill enough C. difficile spores on care utensils.* 

TopLine cleaning and disinfection machines by MEIKO:

  • use strong wash and steam jets for a thorough clean, highly effective in washing off germs
  • apply temperatures above 80 °C and an alkaline detergent in a recognised programme to remove C. difficile spores to an acceptable level
  • the disinfection parameters on TopLine cleaning and disinfection machines are set to an Avalue of 60
  • the A0value can be selected up to 3,000 in predefined increments for when an even higher standard of safety is required

The disinfection performance of MEIKO cleaning and disinfection machines is validated according to EN ISO 15883-3 using temperature loggers to measure temperature-time intervals and, where appropriate, bioindicators (Enterococcus faecium) to provide microbiological evidence of cleaning/disinfection.

User study

In a 16-month user study, the weak points in the cleaning of care utensils were analyzed. A frequent reason is the faulty operation of equipment by personnel due to a lack of user-friendliness. Find out more in the whitepaper Clostridioides difficile.

Download the whitepaper now

* Alfa, MJ et al.: Alkaline detergent combined with a routine ward bedpan washer disinfector cycle eradicates Clostridium difficile spores from the surface of plastic bedpans, in:American Journal of Infection Control, 2013, 41, pp. 381–383.