Cleanzine: your weekly cleaning and hygiene industry newsletter 25th July 2024 Issue no. 1124
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Eliminate C. auris in less than one minute
Independent testing shows that UMF|PerfectClean's Klorese cleaner-disinfectant combined with a PerfectClean wiper eliminates the deadly fungus Candida auris (C. auris) in less than one minute.
Performed by contract services organisation Integrated Pharma Services, the testing is further proof that Klorese and PerfectClean are the perfect combination for cleaning and disinfecting any surface in a healthcare facility.
Research indicates that a rise in severe fungal infections such as C. auris has resulted in more than 150 million cases annually and almost 1.7 million fatalities globally. According to the World Health Organisation, multi-drug resistant Candida species including C. auris cause many preventable healthcare-associated infections.
Recognising such fungal infections as a widespread threat to the entire healthcare system, the WHO issued a call to action for the healthcare community to protect people from such fungi. Cleaning and disinfecting patient care environments are primary infection control measures for preventing the transmission of C. auris in healthcare settings.
"Our testing results demonstrated that a PerfectClean wiper combined with Klorese, an EPA-registered cleaner-disinfectant, is capable of complete removal of C. auris from surfaces, retaining it in the wiper where it is exposed to Klorese, which eliminated 100% of the C. auris in one minute or less," explains Dr Mina Izadjoo, president and chief science officer at Integrated Pharma Services.
The combinations help eliminate and prevent C. auris by:
• Preventing surface transmission: C. auris can persist on surfaces for long periods. Thorough cleaning and disinfection reduce the chance of transmission from contaminated surfaces to patients, healthcare workers, and visitors.
• Reducing cross-contamination: Environmental surfaces can serve as reservoirs for C. auris, allowing it to transfer to hands, medical equipment and other surfaces. Effective cleaning and disinfection help minimise cross-contamination, preventing the introduction of the pathogen into new areas.
• Protecting vulnerable populations: Individuals with weakened immune systems, such as patients in intensive care units or those undergoing invasive medical procedures, are at increased risk of C. auris infections. Cleaning and disinfecting surfaces in their surroundings are critical for protecting these vulnerable populations from exposure to the pathogen.
• Combatting drug resistance: C. auris is often resistant to multiple antifungal medications, making infections challenging to treat. Thorough cleaning and disinfection mitigate the spread of drug-resistant strains and preserve the efficacy of current treatments.
UMF| PerfectClean CEO George Clarke says: "The result of this testing further validates Klorese combined with PerfectClean wipers as essential in the fight against pHAIs such as C. auris.
“With this powerful combination, environmental services teams can safely, effectively and efficiently clean and disinfect surfaces throughout the healthcare facility. Klorese and the PerfectClean wiper are the only tools required to clean and disinfect any surface in any room.
"While patient health & safety is the utmost priority, the cost to treat C. auris and other pHAIs is considerable due to extended hospital stays, intensive care, diagnostic tests and expensive medications. Effective environmental cleaning and disinfection help mitigate such costs by mitigating the risk of such infections."
UMF|PerfectClean is a strategic partner of the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC).
2nd May 2024