I admit, I'm passionate.
There are some who may even say on some topics I'm a zealot and the
topic of efficacy claims on registered disinfectant products is probably one such topic.
In past blogs we have talked about the fact that
comparing the number of claims between products is irrelevant. We have also
talked about the fact that when it comes to disinfectant efficacy, there is no
scientific evidence to support that a non-drug resistant strain of bacteria is
easier for a disinfectant to kill than its drug or multi-drug resistant
cousin. Let me be clear - Antibiotic Resistant IS NOT equal to Chemical Resistance!
comparing the number of claims between products is irrelevant. We have also
talked about the fact that when it comes to disinfectant efficacy, there is no
scientific evidence to support that a non-drug resistant strain of bacteria is
easier for a disinfectant to kill than its drug or multi-drug resistant
cousin. Let me be clear - Antibiotic Resistant IS NOT equal to Chemical Resistance!
This all said, I am often "impressed" (dripping
with sarcasm) in the marketing tactics of disinfectant manufacturers. In 2004 the Infectious Diseases Society of
America (IDSA) highlighted a group of antibiotic resistant pathogens that
became coined as ESKAPE pathogens. These bacteria were identified as becoming
increasingly resistant to available antibiotics and unfortunately there were,
and still are, a scarcity of new effective antibiotics (without harmful side
effects) being developed to combat their growing resistance. The ESKAPE
pathogens include resistant strains of: Enterococcus faecium, Staphylococcusaureus, Klebsiella pneumonia, Acinetobacter baumanii, Pseudomonas aeruginosa
and Enterobacter species; where particular strains of these organisms are
resistant to certain commonly used antibiotics i.e. MRSA, VRE,
Carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae, Multi-drug Resistant Acinetobactor
species to name a few.
with sarcasm) in the marketing tactics of disinfectant manufacturers. In 2004 the Infectious Diseases Society of
America (IDSA) highlighted a group of antibiotic resistant pathogens that
became coined as ESKAPE pathogens. These bacteria were identified as becoming
increasingly resistant to available antibiotics and unfortunately there were,
and still are, a scarcity of new effective antibiotics (without harmful side
effects) being developed to combat their growing resistance. The ESKAPE
pathogens include resistant strains of: Enterococcus faecium, Staphylococcusaureus, Klebsiella pneumonia, Acinetobacter baumanii, Pseudomonas aeruginosa
and Enterobacter species; where particular strains of these organisms are
resistant to certain commonly used antibiotics i.e. MRSA, VRE,
Carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae, Multi-drug Resistant Acinetobactor
species to name a few.
As a result of this growing concern over the ESKAPE
bacteria, some disinfectant companies have begun marketing efficacy of their
products against ESKAPE implying superiority over disinfectants from other
companies that may have missed the memo. Although it is the job of disinfectant
manufacturers to monitor growing trends in health care as it pertains to
cleaning and disinfection; before pulling the trigger, a disinfectant
manufacturer needs to assess if a trend in healthcare warrants any action at
all. For example, any good hospital grade disinfectant on the market would have
efficacy against many of the ESKAPE bacteria and/or their related non-resistant
species and strains. Why then would a manufacturer spend the tens of thousands
of dollars in germicidal testing simply to add disinfection claims for the sake
of adding claims? The significance of
showing efficacy against ESKAPE is simply to capitalize on this memorable
marketing phrase that may gain the “buy in” of decision makers for the wrong
reasons.
bacteria, some disinfectant companies have begun marketing efficacy of their
products against ESKAPE implying superiority over disinfectants from other
companies that may have missed the memo. Although it is the job of disinfectant
manufacturers to monitor growing trends in health care as it pertains to
cleaning and disinfection; before pulling the trigger, a disinfectant
manufacturer needs to assess if a trend in healthcare warrants any action at
all. For example, any good hospital grade disinfectant on the market would have
efficacy against many of the ESKAPE bacteria and/or their related non-resistant
species and strains. Why then would a manufacturer spend the tens of thousands
of dollars in germicidal testing simply to add disinfection claims for the sake
of adding claims? The significance of
showing efficacy against ESKAPE is simply to capitalize on this memorable
marketing phrase that may gain the “buy in” of decision makers for the wrong
reasons.
There is no dispute, these pathogens are responsible for
a significant number of hospital and community acquired infections worldwide
and without a doubt cause a significant burden on healthcare due to prolonged duration of illness and associated
increased morbidity and mortality. BUT
when it comes to disinfection, antibiotic resistant bacteria should be no more
of a challenge to kill with hospital grade disinfectant than the non-resistant
strains. Ultimately, ESKAPE pathogens can have a major impact on the treatment
options available to healthcare professionals, but in the world of cleaning and
disinfection - it’s just another day at the office.
a significant number of hospital and community acquired infections worldwide
and without a doubt cause a significant burden on healthcare due to prolonged duration of illness and associated
increased morbidity and mortality. BUT
when it comes to disinfection, antibiotic resistant bacteria should be no more
of a challenge to kill with hospital grade disinfectant than the non-resistant
strains. Ultimately, ESKAPE pathogens can have a major impact on the treatment
options available to healthcare professionals, but in the world of cleaning and
disinfection - it’s just another day at the office.
Bugging Off!
Nicole
