• E-mail
• Print
• RSS

Study says antibacterial wipes can spread germs in hospitals

Infection Control Monitor, June 6, 2008

While they are intended to help stop the spread of infections, antibacterial wipes when used improperly can actually have the opposite effect, according to British researchers.

The disinfectant wipes, routinely used in hospitals, may actually spread drug-resistant bacteria such as MRSA, rather than kill the germs, reported Reuters news service. While the wipes killed some bacteria, a study of intensive care units at two Welsh hospitals showed they did not kill all of the germs and could transfer bacteria to other surfaces. The findings were presented at the American Society for Microbiology’s general meeting in Boston.

The researchers found that many healthcare workers cleaned multiple surfaces near patients, such as bedrails, monitors, and tables with a single wipe and risked spreading the bacteria from one surface to another. The most effective way to prevent the spread of infections such as MRSA is to ensure that staff use the wipe only once on one surface and prevent cross-contamination, researchers concluded.

• E-mail to a Colleague
• Print
• RSS
• Archive