Published in:
01-02-2006 | Brief Report
Air ionisation and colonisation/infection with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and Acinetobacter species in an intensive care unit
Authors:
Kevin G. Kerr, Clive B. Beggs, Stephen G. Dean, Judith Thornton, Judith K. Donnelly, Neil J. Todd, P. Andrew Sleigh, Andleeb Qureshi, Charles C. Taylor
Published in:
Intensive Care Medicine
|
Issue 2/2006
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Abstract
Objective
To determine effect of negative air ions on colonisation/infection with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and Acinetobacter species in an intensive care unit.
Design
Prospective single-centre cross-over study in an adult general intensive care unit.
Patients
201 patients whose stay on the unit exceeded 48 hour's duration.
Intervention
Six negative air ionisers were installed on the unit but not operational for the first 5 months of the study (control period). Devices were then operational for the following 5.5 months.
Measurements and results
30 and 13 patients were colonised/infected with MRSA and Acinetobacter spp., respectively, over 10.5 months. No change in MRSA colonisation/infection was observed compared with the 5 month control period. Acinetobacter cases were reduced from 11 to 2 (p = 0.007).
Conclusion
Ionisers may have a role in the prevention of Acinetobacter infections.