Decontamination News and Research

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Researchers develop microbial washing technique to decontaminate fetal tissues

The use of central nervous system fetal tissues derived from routine elective abortions to provide stem cells for transplantation procedures aimed at restoring damage done by neurodegenerative diseases is an established therapy.

23 Jul 2013

Research develop new methods, technologies for reducing deliberate drinking water contamination

An international project has developed a response programme for rapidly restoring the use of drinking water networks following a deliberate contamination event.

6 Jul 2013

Panasonic’s CO2 cell culture incubators deliver outstanding environmental reliability

Increasingly stringent regulation and the need for absolute sample security when working with human materials heightens the need for laboratory instrumentation that performs to the highest standards. Panasonic MCO-19 CO2 cell culture incubators deliver outstanding environmental reliability.

From PHC Europe B.V. 25 Jun 2013

Scientists genetically engineer E. coli bacteria addicted to caffeine

The latest episode in the American Chemical Society's award-winning Global Challenges/Chemistry Solutions podcast series describes bacteria that are "addicted" to caffeine in a way that promises practical uses ranging from decontamination of wastewater to bioproduction of medications for asthma.

14 Jun 2013

3 out of 20 GI endoscopes used for screening harbor unacceptable levels of "bio dirt"

Three out of 20 flexible gastrointestinal (GI) endoscopes used for screening were found to harbor unacceptable levels of "bio dirt" - cells and matter from a patient's body that could pose potential infection risk -- according to a study of endoscopes used at five hospitals across the U.S.

10 Jun 2013

Study: Women are less likely to contract bloodstream or surgical site infections than male counterparts

A new study from Columbia University School of Nursing supports a growing body of evidence that women are less likely to contract bloodstream or surgical site infections than their male counterparts.

31 May 2013

Study finds women less likely to contract bloodstream or surgical-site infections than men

A new study from Columbia University School of Nursing supports a growing body of evidence that women are less likely to contract bloodstream or surgical site infections than their male counterparts.

31 May 2013

Stanford engineers develop new type of nanoscavenger for water purification

Among its many talents, silver is an antibiotic. Titanium dioxide is known to glom on to certain heavy metals and pollutants. Yet other materials do the same for salt. In recent years, environmental engineers have sought to disinfect, depollute, and desalinate contaminated water using nanoscale particles of these active materials. Engineers call them nanoscavengers. The hitch from a technical standpoint is that it is nearly impossible to reclaim the nanoscavengers once in the water.

16 May 2013

Hydrogen peroxide vapor eradicates multidrug-resistant organisms from unopened supplies

In rooms of patients with multidrug-resistant organisms, the outside of the packages containing sterile items can become contaminated.

10 Apr 2013

A new method to kill pathogenic bacteria

Engineering researchers at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute have developed a new method to kill deadly pathogenic bacteria, including listeria, in food handling and packaging. This innovation represents an alternative to the use of antibiotics or chemical decontamination in food supply systems.

3 Apr 2013

Dietary impacts, health changes and oral pathogen genomic evolution

DNA preserved in calcified bacteria on the teeth of ancient human skeletons has shed light on the health consequences of the evolving diet and behaviour from the Stone Age to the modern day.

18 Feb 2013

Alcohol-impregnated disinfection caps would prevent 21 CLABSIs and four deaths each year

Central line-associated bloodstream infections (CLABSI) dropped by 52 percent when an alcohol-impregnated disinfection cap was used instead of standard scrubbing protocol, according to a new study published in the January issue of the American Journal of Infection Control, the official publication of the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC).

3 Jan 2013

Current hospital cleaning protocol may be inadequate to rid MDR A. baumannii

Current hospital cleaning protocol may be inadequate to rid patient rooms of multidrug-resistant (MDR) Acinetobacter baumannii, according to a study in the December issue of the American Journal of Infection Control, the official publication of the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC).

1 Dec 2012

Best-practices protocol significantly reduces ventilator-associated pneumonia

An intensive care unit-initiated protocol implementing “best practices” significantly reduces ventilator-associated pneumonia, research shows.

8 Oct 2012

New technique has potential to kill off hospital superbugs

Scientists at Queen's University Belfast have developed a new technique which has the potential to kill off hospital superbugs like Pseudomonas aeruginosa, C. difficile and MRSA.

5 Oct 2012

Xenex's pulsed xenon UV more effective than bleach in decontaminating C. diff surfaces

Healthcare associated infections (also referred to as HAIs or hospital acquired infections) are the fourth leading cause of death in the United States, costing more than $30 billion each year. Evidence continues to mount that hospital cleanliness plays a role in the spread of HAIs, which are caused by deadly pathogens such as C. diff, MRSA, VRE and Acinetobacter.

19 Sep 2012

Altapure, ITT Exelis to launch new model of disinfection system

ITT Exelis and Altapure, LLC are launching a new model of their state-of-the-art disinfection system at the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology annual conference this week in San Antonio, Texas.

6 Jun 2012

UV disinfection may reduce CDI in hospitals and LTCFs

In a recently published article, "Decontamination with Ultraviolet Radiation to Prevent Recurrent Clostridium difficile Infection in 2 Roommates in a Long-Term Care Facility" (Infection Control and Hospital Epidemiology, 05/2012), researchers shared the results of a trial that used Tru-D SmartUVC to prevent coincident recurrent CDI episodes in roommates in a Long-Term Care Facility (LTCF).

2 Jun 2012

MRSA nasal colonization associated with increase in SSI in patients undergoing GI surgery

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus (MRSA) nasal colonization is associated with longer hospital stays and an increase in surgical site infections (SSI) in patients undergoing major gastrointestinal surgery, according to a new study from Scott and White Memorial Hospital, Temple, TX.

21 May 2012

ICDs may increase risk of complications in patients with infective endocarditis

Patients with infective endocarditis involving implanted cardiac devices experience a high rate of complications such as valve infections, heart failure, and persistent bacteremia, and high in-hospital and 1-year mortality rates, particularly if there is valve involvement, according to a study in the April 25 issue of JAMA.

24 Apr 2012