Prof. Brett Mitchell2,3,4,5, Dr Julee McDonagh5, A/Prof Jenny Sim5, Bismi Adbul5
1Avondale University, Monash University, Central Coast Local Health District And Univesrity Of Newcastle,
2Avondale University, , Australia
3Central Coast Local Health District, , Australia
4Monash University, , Australia
5University of Newcastle, Australia
Introduction: Organisms can survive on surfaces and in the environment for days or weeks and pose an ongoing risk of the subsequent acquisition to another patient. The aim of this study was to determine the risk of pathogen acquisition for patients admitted to a hospital room where the prior occupant was colonised with the same pathogen, compared to a room where the prior occupant did not have a pathogen.
Methods: We conducted a systematic review of the literature and meta-analysis. We searched the literature using Medline/PubMed, Cochrane and CINHAL between 1st January 1984 and 31st December 2021. Statistical analyses were undertaken using Revman Review Manager software (Cochrane Collaboration) to determine the pooled prevalence estimates and 95% confidence interval (CI) of acquisition.
Results: We screened 4839 articles, of which 12 studies met our inclusion criteria. The pooled acquisition odds ratio for all the organisms included in these studies was 2.45 (95%CI 1.53-3.93), indicating a significantly risk of acquiring a pathogen from the prior room occupant. There was heterogeneity between the studies (I2 96%, P < 0.001). In sub-group analysis, there was an increased risk of acquisition for specific organisms including C.difficile, MRSA and norovirus. However, for VRE, the risk of acquisition was not significant.
Conclusion: The findings have important implications for infection control professionals, environmental cleaning services and patients, since current practices fail to adequately reduce acquisition risk.
Biography: Professor Brett Mitchell is a researcher and clinician in the field of infection prevention and control. He is a Professor of Nursing at Avondale University, Monash University and the University of Newcastle. He also works at the Central Coast Local Health District. He has led national work around infection prevention in Australia and has 150 peer publications. Brett is a Fellow of the Australian College of Nursing and a Fellow of the Australasian College for Infection Prevention and Control. Professor Mitchell and is also Editor-in-Chief of Infection, Disease and Health.