Abstract
Hospital-acquired infections (HAIs) remain a major clinical and economic burden, with pathogens such as Escherichia coli contributing to high rates of morbidity and mortality. Traditional manual disinfection methods are often insufficient, particularly in high-risk hospital environments. In this study, we investigated innovative strategies to enhance surface decontamination and reduce infection risk. First, we assessed the efficacy of the SMEG BPW1260 bedpan washer-disinfector, a thermal disinfection system for human waste containers. Our results demonstrated a reduction in Clostridium difficile and Escherichia coli contamination by >99.9% (>3 log reduction), as measured by colony-forming units (CFU) before and after treatment. Molecular techniques, including spectrophotometry, cell counting, and quantitative PCR (qPCR) for DNA quantification, confirmed reduction in bacterial contamination. Specifically, Clostridium difficile showed a reduction of approximately 89% in both optical density (OD) and cell count (cells/mL). In the case of Escherichia coli, a reduction of around 82% in OD was observed, with an even more pronounced decrease in cell count, reaching approximately 99.3%. For both bacteria, DNA quantification by qPCR was below detectable limits. Furthermore, we optimized the energy efficiency of the disinfection cycle, achieving a 45% reduction in power consumption compared to standard protocols without compromising antimicrobial efficacy. Secondly, we developed a sustainable cleaning solution based on methyl ester sulfonate surfactants derived from waste cooking oil. The detergent's antibacterial activity was tested on contaminated surfaces and further enhanced through the incorporation of nanoassemblies composed of silver, electrostatically bound either to biomimetic magnetic nanoparticles or to conventional magnetic nanoparticles. Washing with the detergent alone effectively eliminated detectable contamination, while the addition of nanoparticles inhibited bacterial regrowth. Antimicrobial testing against E. coli revealed that the nanoparticle-enriched formulations reduced the average MIC values by approximately 50%, with MIC(50) values around 0.03-0.06 mg/mL and MIC(90) values between 0.06 and 0.12 mg/mL, indicating improved inhibitory efficacy. Finally, recognizing the infection risks associated with intra-hospital transport, we tested the SAFE-HUG Wheelchair Cover, a disposable non-woven barrier designed to reduce patient exposure to contaminated wheelchair surfaces. Use of the cover resulted in a 3.3 log reduction in surface contamination, based on viable cell counts. Optical density and bacterial DNA were undetectable in all covered samples at both 1 and 24 h, confirming the strong barrier effect. Together, these approaches-thermal no-touch disinfection, eco-friendly detergent boosted with nanoparticles, and protective transport barriers-respond to the urgent need for effective, sustainable infection control methods in healthcare settings. Our findings demonstrate the potential of these systems to counteract microbial contamination while minimizing environmental impact, offering promising solutions for the future of infection prevention in healthcare settings.