One in 10 patients in an Australian hospital acquires an infection while in hospital. There are approximately 160,000 such infections acquired each year in Australian hospitals. Contaminated patient environments provide a reservoir for pathogens to be transmitted to patients. The objective of this randominsed control trial was to demonstrate the effectiveness of improving the quality and frequency of cleaning shared medical equipment in reducing HAIs. A secondary objective is to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of the intervention.
Key insights:
We found a 34.5% reduction in healthcare associated infections, associated with improvement in cleaning. Our study has been shown to be cost-effective. For every 1000 patients in hospital who are exposed to our intervention, we found 30 less infection and saved $640,000.
Impact and outcomes:
This was a world-first trial. The findings from the CLEEN study are being implemented in hospitals in Australia and internationally. There will be thousands of hospitalised patients benefiting from this study. The CLEEN study has also helped support a grant to implement improving cleaning in intensive care units, in five low and middle-income countries in South-East Asia.
Researchers:
Prof Brett Mitchell, Avondale University, Central Coast LHD
Dr Kate Browne, Lecturer, Avondale UniversityÂ
Prof Philip Russo, Cabrini Health and Monash University
Dr Nicole White, Queensland University of Technology
A/Prof Andrew Stewardson, Alfred Health and Monash University
Prof Allen Cheng, Monash Health
Dr Peta Tehan, Avondale and Monash University
Dr David Brain, Queensland University of Technology
Prof Maria Northcote, Adjunct, Avondale UniversityÂ
Georgia Matterson, Research Assistant, Avondale University Â
Partners/Collaborators:
Avondale University, Hunter Medical Research Institute, University of Newcastle, Central Coast Local Health District, Alfred Health, Monash Health, Monash University, Queensland University of Technology.       
Research outputs:
Effectiveness outcome publication: https://www.thelancet.com/article/S1473-3099(24)00399-2/abstract
Cost-effectiveness publication: https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2832469
Time and motion publication: https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2832469
The Conversation Australia: https://theconversation.com/better-cleaning-of-hospital-equipment-could-cut-patient-infections-by-one-third-and-save-money-251917
Conferences: The CLEEN study has been presented at conferences including ESCMID Global (Europe), IPS, ACIPC conference, IPC tour (Australian), Norway IPC meeting, Global webinars. Findings have been presented to over 4,000 people.
Funder(s) and amount:
National Health and Medical Research Council (Brett Mitchell, Investigator Grant); Hunter Medical Research Institute.
Fields of Research Codes:
4203 Health services and systems
4206 Public Health
420605 Preventive Health Care
Status:
Complete
More information:
Sustainable Development Goals:
