Home » Blogs » The extent of microbial contamination of medical textiles and resulting infection outbreaks in healthcare facilities

Nosocomial infections is a major issue in healthcare. Most of the time, gram-positive or gram-negative bacteria are the pathogens responsible for nosocomial infections. Health priority for all healthcare institutions should include control measures to safeguard healthcare workers and patients from the potentially fatal risk of pathogen infection.

Medical textiles comprise a wide variety of continuous-use items and are frequently used to offer safety and protection for both patients and medical professionals. However, various bacteria, and other microorganisms can live on such textiles for longer period and can spread to skin and other surfaces. Further, these contaminated surfaces facilitate the spread of pathogens, and infections through aerosols, endogenous spread, and indirect contact with patients and hospital employees. In fact, many research studies attribute the growing prevalence of microbial infections in hospitals to microbial contamination of textiles, including improper washing procedures and the materials used to make hospital textiles.

The agents responsible for nosocomial infections, which patients may get after being admitted to the hospital, are of special concern. Published research have indicated co-infection with organisms such as Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Mycoplasma pneumoniae, and Acinetobacter baumannii. To provide the most recent information on the epidemiological situation and the requirement of taking the necessary precautions to stop the spread of various illnesses, including nosocomial ones, it is crucial in this respect to monitor the microbiological composition in a hospital setting. As a result of the capacity of germs to be retained on such surfaces for at least several days, medical personnel and patients also come into close contact with a variety of surfaces.

Infection outbreaks due to contaminated textiles

Previous investigations have reported many incidents wherein the microbial contamination of medical textiles and healthcare facilities has resulted in infection outbreaks among many patients. One of which is the case of Gordonia bronchialis Sternal Wound Infection in 3 Patients following Open Heart Surgery due to intraoperative transmission from a Healthcare Worker, as reported by Wright et al (2012). When the identification of the source was carried out, it was concluded that the infection transmission took place due to the presence of the microbe on the scrubs, axilla, hands, and purse of a nurse anaesthetist who was involved in all three cases.

Another report disclosed how during the summer months proliferation of B. cereus on used linen and inadequate decontamination during laundering caused colonization of neonates with B. cereus in one UK hospital. Similar cases of B.cereus were reported wherein reused towels caused Bloodstream infections among patients related to catheter use in Japan; B.cereus bacteremia outbreak was reported among patients from the linens of the hospital transferred to the patients via catheter infection; A hospital in Singapore had an epidemic due to the growth of B. cereus on linen stored in airtight plastic bags and high levels of B. cereus in air tests; Meningitis following neurosurgery was caused by Surgical scrubs contaminated with spores of B.cereus. Similarly, Brunton (1995) reported an outbreak of streptococcal infection associated with the maternity unit due to Babies’ vests contaminated with the MT type of Streptococcus pyogenes.

Another microbe that is the leading cause of outbreaks taking place in healthcare facilities is Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Reports have been released by S.Panagea et al (2004) wherein airborne dissemination in a patient-to-patient spread of Liverpool epidemic strain has occurred due to the presence of this above-mentioned microbe on the patients’ clothes and linens.

There have also been reports of MRSA infections across three wards due to the transmission from healthcare worker attire to patients or vice versa. Outbreaks of various infections in various wards (almost 46) due to Linens, contaminated pillows, mattresses, blankets, etc was also reported by E. Creamer et al (2008).

Epidemiology of colonization of patients with Vancomycin-resistant Enterococci (VRE) in the medical intensive-care unit (MICU) caused due to their presence on drawsheets. ESBL K.oxytoca colonization of pediatric ward patients was also reported which was caused due to contaminated clothing. In the same way ESBL K. pneumoniae was also spread.

Additionally, high-level contamination of pillows caused colonization and/or infection of Acinetobacter’s. to patients in a German hospital. Das et al. (2002) reported Carbapenem-resistant A. baumannii infection outbreak in an intensive care unit due to its presence on the curtains and beds of the hospital. Healthcare-associated C. difficile infection in a hospital was reported by Sooklal, Khan & Kannangara (2014) caused due to inadequate decontamination of mop heads. Three reports were found to mention Rhizopius sp. infection outbreak in hospital patients due to its presence on linens post laundering.

An outbreak of scabies among laundry workers was reported by Thomas et al. (1987) which was caused due to the handling of unclean hospital linen. In the same way, Microsporum canis also spread among Staff and patients infected with zoophilic dermatophyte in an acute and chronic health care facility. An outbreak of infection with Salmonella typhimurium in a general hospital was reported by Datta & Pridie caused due to Unclean hospital sheets. Nosocomial transmission of Salmonella gastroenteritis to laundry workers in a nursing home was again spread due to unclean linen. Lastly, the Outbreak of Hepatitis A among laundry personnel was also reported by Michael A Borg et al. (1999) due to the handling of contaminated linen in the hospital.

Reduction of Nosocomial Infections through Thermaissance Textiles

Thermaissance Textiles can significantly reduce microbial contamination and resulting infections in the hospital. Thermaissance Antimicrobial textiles have been clinically proven to be effective against various pathogens. In an independent ISO 17025 certified laboratories, Thermaissance textiles have been shown to be effective against MRSA, VRE, CRE, Mycobacterium Tuberculosis (M.td), Klebsiella Pneumonia, Staphylococcus Aureus, E.coli, Human Coronavirus, Aspergillus Niger and various other pathogens. Its antimicrobial effectiveness continued to remain over 99.99% even after 100 autoclave cycles or after 100 machine washes.

A cross-over trial was conducted at Molecular Solutions Care Health (MSCH), an ICMR-approved NABL accredited diagnostic wing of PCMH (Patient-Centric Medical Home), the infectious disease clinic. The objective of the trial was to analyse the pathogenic contamination of the Standard PPE kit (Disposable Coverall, N-95 Masks, Disposable gloves) and Thermaissance PPE kit (Coverall and Mask) used in laboratories handling SARS-CoV2. 14 personnel participated in the trial. Out of the 14 participants, 5 worked at the RT-PCR bench, 7 handled live samples for RNA Extraction and 2 worked at the front desk. On day 1, 7 people wore the Thermaissance PPE while the other 7 wore the standard PPE. On day 2, the make of the PPEs between the participants was exchanged and the procedure was repeated. At the end of each shift, swabs were collected from both the PPEs.

It was observed that 100% of Standard PPE kits were significantly contaminated with viruses, bacteria and fungus. These PPEs had a average bacterial colony count of 67.92, a fungal growth of 5.28 and a viral load of 5.66. In many cases, bacterial lawns were also found on Coveralls and Gloves. Such heavy colony counts indeed posed a serious danger of cross-contamination among the healthcare personnel as well as among the patients.

Thermaissance PPEs, on the other hand, were found to have a significantly lower bacterial colony count of 17.80, fungal growth of 0.71, and a zero viral load by the end of the shift of healthcare personnel. In comparison to Standard PPEs, Thermaissance PPE showed a 73.81% reduction in bacterial contamination, 86.58% reduction in fungal contamination, and 100% reduction in viral contamination. p value for this analysis was <0.05 indicating a statistically significant reduction in the pathogenic load.  Thermaissance PPE showed effectiveness against gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria.

The above cross-trial further proved effectiveness of Thermaissance’s self-sanitizing antimicrobial technology. It provides better protection and care for healthcare professionals and patients. Hence, as part of the infection prevention and control in healthcare facilities, it is highly important that the facilities invest in good medical textiles such as Thermaissance that can reduce the microbial contamination and resulting nosocomial infections.