Healthcare Hygiene magazine October 2019

to transfer contamination to clean surfaces. Predictably, such microbial transfer was the highest with the control wipe wetted with a buffer. The platform and the disk retrieval system are simple, generic in design, and capable of handling most types of HITES as well as all major classes of human pathogens known to spread via HITES. The findings reported here further reinforce the appli- cability of the platform in assessing disinfecting wipes in a field-relevant manner. The platform can not only test prewetted wipes but also spray-and-wipe systems. Teflon was chosen to make the platform for its high heat- and chemical-resistance as well as easy cleanability between uses. With additional experimentation using a wider variety of pathogens and wipe technologies, the system has the potential to become an international standard, such as that for ASTM International (www.astm.org). Acknowledgements This study was supported in part with funding from the Healthcare Surfaces Institute (https://www.healthcare- surfacesinstitute.org). Syed A. Sattar, PhD, is professor emeritus of microbiology at the University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada, and affiliated with CREM Co Labs of Mississauga, ON, Canada. Bahram Zargar, PhD, and Saeideh Naderi, PhD, are affiliated with CREM Co Labs. References: ASTM International (2011). Standard quantitative disk carrier test method for determining the bactericidal, virucidal, fungicidal, mycobacte- ricidal & sporicidal activities of liquid chemicals (E-2197-11). ASTM, West Conshohocken, Penn. Carling PC. (2016). Optimizing Health Care Environmental Hygiene, Infect Dis Clin North Am. Sept; 30(3):639-660. Howard A, O’Donoghue M, Feeney A and Sleator RD. (2012). Acine- tobacter baumannii, an emerging opportunistic pathogen. Virulence. 3(3): 243-250. Ramm L, Siani H, Wesgate R, Maillard J-Y. (2015). Pathogen transfer and high variability in pathogen removal by detergent wipes. Am J Infect Control. 43(7):724-728. Sattar SA and Maillard J.-Y. (2013). The crucial role of wiping in decontamination of high-touch environmental surfaces: review of current status and directions for the future, Am J Infect Control. May; 41(5 Suppl):S97-104. Sattar SA. (2010). Promises & pitfalls of recent advances in chemical means of preventing the spread of nosocomial infections by environmen- tal surfaces. Am J Infect Control 38: S34-S40. Springthorpe VS and Sattar SA. (2007). Application of a quantitative carrier test to evaluate microbicides against mycobacteria. J. AOAC Int. 90:817-824. Weber DJ, Anderson D, Rutala WA. (2013). The role of the surface environment in healthcare-associated infections. Curr Opin Infect Dis. 26(4):338-344. Certification continued from page 30 programs, and resources as well as a certification process that will provide manufacturers with a certificate of validation from the Healthcare Surfaces Institute. Goals and objectives for this program include but are not limited to: • Development of consistent test methods that includes compatibility testing of all categories of EPA registered disinfectants as well as no touch dis- infection such a UV and hydrogen peroxide vapor • The identification of the top four microbes for all testing with option for addition microbial testing. The goal is to have consistent measurable data and information • Testing of products as assemblies – Many products are made using multiple types of surface materials and or textiles. When combined on one product the ability to efficiently and effectively disinfect all materials can be compromised causing degradation of surface materials. • Evaluation of surfaces at a micro level. Damage is often unseen, creating microbial reservoirs that support the growth and proliferation of microbes • Evaluation of IFUs to ensure they provide guidance and recommendations pertinent to active health- care environments and that support infection prevention processes and protocols. www.healthcarehygienemagazine.com • october 2019 Product manufacturers can expect support with product development that includes clarity about testing requirements and recommendations, as well as healthcare professional support for the creation of IFUs that support infection prevention process and protocol. The Healthcare Surfaces Institute continues to grow and evolve. Most importantly, the members are committed to good science and helping standard organizations develop the best requirements for certification that will drive truly value-based purchasing options for healthcare. We are currently working with healthcare professionals and HSI manufacturing partners to begin the development of this certification program if you are interested in becoming a partner and working with us, visit https:// www.healthcaresurfacesinstitute.org. Linda Lybert is president of Healthcare Surface Consult- ing and the founder/executive director of the Healthcare Surfaces Institute. Caroline Etland, PhD, MSN, is currently an associate professor at the University of San Diego Hahn School of Nursing, and a clinical nurse specialist at Sharp HealthCare. She also serves as a board member of the Healthcare Surfaces Institute. Ellen Turner, a member of the board of the Healthcare Surfaces Institute, reviewed this article. 33

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