SHAWNEE MISSION, Kan. — A recent study published in the American Journal of Infection Control reveals that when two long-term, acute-care hospitals used reusable mattress covers, their rate of hospital-acquired infections (HAIs) was reduced by 50%, the American Reusable Textile Association (ARTA) reports.
Xavier University in Cincinnati conducted the research, according to ARTA. The two hospitals were St. Vincent Seton Specialty Hospital Indianapolis and St. Vincent Seton Specialty Hospital Lafayette. Both used the bed covers for 14 months, starting in May 2013. The study compared instances of hospital-acquired Clostridium difficile (C. diff) by comparing infection rates before and after the two hospitals began using launderable mattress covers provided by Trinity Guardion.
Edmond Hooker, an associate professor in Health Services Administration at Xavier University, led the research along with Dr. Mark Bochan, an infectious disease physician with Infectious Disease of Indiana. Hooker’s previous research showed hospital mattresses that are disinfected using current industry-wide practices are still dirty after disinfection, the association says.
“The hospital mattress is clearly the highest contact point for patients during their hospital stay, and hospital linen does not provide a protective barrier for patients,” says Hooker.
Trinity Guardion CEO Bruce Rippe will share the research March 10 at ARTA’s 2016 Education Conference in Orlando, Fla. Learn more at www.ARTA1.com.
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