Bedding poses a high risk of cross-contamination

Strikethrough is a very serious threat in hospitals. When a patient with a bacterial infection uses a bed, there is a significant risk that the mattress, pillow and duvet are colonised by the patient’s bacteria. The patient is discharged and clean covers are fitted. But the reservoir of infection remains within the bedding. So when the next patient uses what appears to be a clean bed, they are unwittingly exposed to the bacteria and cross-contamination often occurs.

 “Infection control and cross-infection present a major problem for hospitals, greatly increasing risk to health and causing considerable expense.”

Source: Wilson, Jenny Infection control in clinical practice Balliere Tindall, London 1995

“Bedding interiors colonised with bacteria, become a reservoir of infection, posing an increased risk of Hospital Acquired Infections.”

Source: Sherertz RJ, Sullivan ML, 1985, An outbreak of infections with acinetobacter calcoaceticus in burns patients: contamination of patients’ mattresses, Journal of Infectious Diseases 151(2) p252-8
 

WHO study shows the scale of the problem

The World Health Organization has highlighted the considerable human and financial costs resulting from bedding contamination and patient cross-infection. In a comprehensive study they have asserted that 9% of healthcare budgets are spent in dealing with problems related to these issues.

Source: World Health Organization Emerging and other Communicable Diseases, Surveillance and Control SEA-HLM-343. World Health Organization Guidelines on Prevention and Control of Hospital Associated Infections January 2002