From the December 2016 issue of HealthCare Business News magazine
Implantable antimicrobials are quickly gaining research investment due to early success in trials. Researchers are working to incorporate the technology in products used for cranial reconstruction, a common procedural area linked with significant infection rates of 15 percent. Some researchers are aiming to develop implantable antimicrobials geared toward prevention, rather than stopping post-surgical infections, by developing an antimicrobial implant that dispenses antiretroviral medication on a consistent basis.
• Gastrointestinal tract bacteria
Patients with burns and other traumatic injuries experience drastic changes in the bacterial populations of their gastrointestinal tracts. Different bacterial species that appear in gut flora have been shown to cause an imbalance in the microbiome, driving the immune system, specifically, in an anti-inflammatory response. Some gut flora can also regulate the production of antibodies, which can have effects in the lungs and other organ tissues. Probiotics could be a viable way to restore a healthy balance and reduce the risk of sepsis and other serious complications related to infections.
Some research reflects that the makeup of the gut bacteria plays a role in the likelihood of a patient developing a urinary tract infection or a C. diff infection. Developing genetically engineered bacteria that patrol the gut to detect inflammation, or make determinations about imbalances in gut bacteria populations, could leave people less susceptible to infections.
• Ultra-violet (UV) lighting
With the use of proper UV lighting technology, research has shown bacteria responsible for various infections, including bacteria known to be resistant to antibiotics, can be killed on surfaces in hospital rooms in less than 10 minutes. The technology has been outfitted in many platforms, including self-operated light fixtures capable of disinfecting wide ranges of surfaces, and mobile robots that clean and disinfect rooms. Research on the use of HAI-fighting robots has discovered fewer staff-contracted infections and loss of work time, resulting in a return on investment for health care facilities.
• Antibiotic overuse and resistance
Combating drug-resistant bacteria and enhancing good antibiotic stewardship can lead to overuse patterns and antibiotic resistance. In recent studies, 10 percent of physicians reported writing antibiotic prescriptions for 95 percent of patients with acute respiratory infections. The most current U.S. statistics attribute 23,000 deaths and more than 2 million illnesses to antibiotic-resistant bacterial infections. In an effort to curb antibiotic-resistant infections, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention published new guidelines for encouraging clinical measures to address the problem. However, these focus on improving communication about drug-resistant treatments between facilities.
About the author: Thom Wellington is the CEO and a stockholder in Infection Control University, a company that provides staff training programs and control processes for infectious microorganisms in hospitals, clinics, long-term care facilities and other health care-related institutions.Back to HCB News
