Kate Browne1,2, Brett Mitchell1,2, Philip Russo3,4, Nicole White5, Andrew Stewardson3,6, Allen Cheng3,6, Maham Amin2, Kirsty Graham2, Gabrielle O’Kane2, Jennie King2, Martin Kiernan7, Peta Tehan3, Maria Northcote1, Georgia Matterson1,2
1Avondale University, Cooranbong, NSW, Australia
2Central Coast Local Health District, Gosford, NSW, Australia
3Monash University, Monash, VIC, Australia
4Cabrini Health, Malvern, VIC, Australia
5Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
6Alfred Health, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
7University of West London, London United Kingdom
Background
Healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) are a common, costly and largely preventable complication impacting patients in healthcare settings globally. Previous studies have demonstrated that improving routine cleaning and disinfection of the environment reduces the risk of HAIs. Contaminated shared medical equipment presents another transmission route for infectious pathogens, yet is rarely studied. To address this gap, the CLEEN study aims to assess the effect of enhanced cleaning and disinfection of shared medical equipment on the rate of HAIs. This evidence-based initiative combines staff training, auditing, and feedback to improve cleaning and disinfection practices by environmental services staff.
Methods
The CLEEN study employs a stepped-wedge randomized controlled design in ten wards of a large Australian hospital over a 36-weeks. The intervention involves dedicating three additional hours per weekday to clean and disinfect shared medical equipment on each ward. The primary outcome focuses on demonstrating the effectiveness of improving the quality and frequency of cleaning shared medical equipment in reducing HAIs, as measured through repeated HAI point prevalence studies. Secondary outcomes include assessing the thoroughness of equipment cleaning using fluorescent marker technology and evaluating the cost-effectiveness of the intervention.
Results
The CLEEN study is currently underway, with results available in 2024. In this presentation, we present the methodology of this world first study.
Conclusion
The evidence generated from the CLEEN study will contribute to future policy development and practice guidelines regarding the cleaning and disinfection of shared medical equipment. Healthcare leaders and clinicians can utilize this evidence to inform decision-making and service delivery.
Biography
Dr Kate Browne is a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at Avondale University and is currently coordinating clinical trials that focus on preventing healthcare-associated infections. Kate has over 6 years of experience working in NSW hospitals, and her research focuses on infection prevention, environmental hygiene, antimicrobial resistance and novel antimicrobial strategies.