Hydrogen peroxide vapor decontamination of an intensive care unit to remove environmental reservoirs of multidrug-resistant gram-negative rods during an outbreak

Abstract

Multidrug-resistant gram-negative rods (MDR-GNR) are an increasing cause for concern in intensive care units (ICUs). We used hydrogen peroxide vapor (HPV) to decontaminate our entire ICU in an attempt to eradicate undetected environmental contamination during outbreaks of MDR-GNR. Surface sampling identified GNR, including MDR strains, on 10 (48%) of 21 areas cultured after intensive cleaning but before decontamination with HPV, and on no areas after HPV. No new cases of Acinetobacter were identified for approximately 3 months after HPV. Copyright © 2010 by the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology, Inc., and the Society for Healthcare. Epidemiology of America.