Prevention of Healthcare Associated Infections in Bone Marrow Transplant Patients

This study involves sampling bone marrow transplant patients, hospital workers and the patient room for microbes using swabs and other techniques. We send these samples to the laboratory, where they will use state-of-the art technology to identify and relate the microbes to each other. This study also involves putting copper, nickel, or titanium into some hospital rooms, and seeing whether these metals influences the growth of microbes. Some equipment in the hospital room, such as faucets and soap dispensers will be replaced by sensor-based (e.g. touchless) controls.

Bacteria and other microbes are everywhere, the majority of which are harmless. They live on our bodies, on everyday objects, in food, and in our environment. They are passed around through the many interactions with other people and our surroundings. Some are even beneficial, helping us digest our food or protecting us from infections caused by harmful microbes. In rare instances, some of the harmful microbes can cause infections. When a microbe causes an infection while we are in healthcare facilities, they are called "Healthcare-associated infections", or "HAIs". Examples that you may have heard of include Clostridium difficile, and MRSA (methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus). Vancouver General Hospital already has some of the lowest HAI rates in the country. We have dedicated hospital workers that do a great job at preventing HAIs, but we are always looking for ways to be even better.

Single occupancy bone marrow transplant recovery room, engineered with touchless devices, and surfaces coated with either copper or titanium dioxide.

Touchless devices: Hand sanitizers, faucets, paper towel dispensers, call devices, Ultraviolet C Aseptix™ Disinfection devices above bathroom doors Copper products: Room and bathroom entrance door hardware, over bed table and bed side table surfaces, chair metal arms, wardrobe handles and knobs, weigh scale, sinks, grab bars, light switch panels, toilet flush handles, faucets and handles, patient bed rails. Titanium dioxide paint: Room walls, head walls, light switches, bathroom wall shelves, toilet tank and bowl, head wall unit fixed equipment, television remote and Bed Control remote

Looking to see the effectiveness of copper and titanium on the microbiota in the environment of the recovery room.

Inclusion Criteria (Patients): undergoing allogenic bone marrow transplant for acute myeloid leukemia will be admitted to the leukemia and bone marrow transplant service at Vancouver General Hospital admission to the ward anticipated to be approximately 28 days Exclusion Criteria (Patients): allergies to copper, nickel or titanium patients admitted for stays anticipated to be less than 28 days Inclusion Criteria (Health care worker): undergoing allogenic bone marrow transplant for acute myeloid leukemia caring for patient enrolled in the study as a primary nurse Exclusion Criteria (Health care worker): allergies to copper, nickel or titanium