In situ evaluation of a persistent disinfectant provides continuous decontamination within the clinical environment.

Microbial bioburden associated with the built environment can impact the rate of health care-associated infection acquisition; higher bioburden results in a greater incidence of health care-associated infections. Two disinfectants registered by the US Environmental Protection Agency and a trial disinfectant were evaluated for their ability to limit the establishment of bioburden subsequent to application under in situ conditions on patient bed rails within a medical intensive care unit. Bioburden samples were collected immediately prior to disinfection and at 1, 6, and 24 hours after application. The trial disinfectant was engineered to provide continuous disinfection over a 24-hour period. Each disinfectant was able to significantly control bioburden for the first hour. In comparison, the persistent agent was found superior for all time points when compared to a dilutable quaternary ammonium agent, and it was significantly better for controlling bioburden for 2 of the 3 times points for the disinfectant with ethanol and quaternary ammonium as its agent.