Thesis

Clinical evaluation of the HINS-light EDS for the continuation light based decontamination of the burns unit inpatient and outpatient settings

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Awarding institution
  • University of Strathclyde
Date of award
  • 2013
Thesis identifier
  • T13578
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Abstract
  • The consequences of sustaining a burn are potentially devastating to a person. Even a relatively smooth recovery from a burn injury can be traumatic to both the body and mind of the patient. Complications, such as infection, only serve to augment this traumatic period through prolonging recovery and worsening outcome. Notwithstanding the great advances in burn treatment made during the last half century, the presence of infection has remained a major influence in dictating the path of recovery for an individual. In fact, advances in resuscitation, surgery, and intensive care support have only served to emphasise the role played by infection. Patients with even severe burns are now surviving their initial injury and remaining in hospital for prolonged periods of rehabilitation. Coupled with a worldwide increase in multi-drug resistant bacteria, and an endemic overuse of increasingly complex regimens of antibacterials, the threat from nosocomial pathogens is greater than ever. As bacteria become increasingly resistant to antibiotics, novel bactericidal technologies must be explored. Furthermore, emphasis has shifted from treatment to prevention, specifically prevention of cross-contamination between patients. The High-Intensity Narrow-Spectrum light Environmental Decontamination System (HINS-light EDS) is one such weapon in the armamentarium against cross-infection. It works using a safe blue light to kill bacteria in the air and on surfaces around patients and staff. When considering the setting for the first clinical trials of the effectiveness of this light, no area was considered to be more appropriate than the burns unit, due to the high density and great significance of bacteria in this unique environment. This thesis has not just examined the HINS-light EDS. It has taken a holistic view through considering every step of the route by which one nosocomial strain of bacteria is passed from burns patient to burns patient: the cycle of cross-contamination. Every step in this cycle has been examined in order to determine when the HINS-light EDS could have its maximum efficiency. This has been coupled with extensive clinical studies of the HINS-light EDS in a variety of inpatient and outpatient scenarios in the burns unit, to determine the optimal utilisation of this technology and achieve maximum impact on bacterial populations in the environment.
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Note
  • This thesis was previously held under moratorium from 2nd December 2013 until 2nd December 2015.
DOI
Date Created
  • 2013
Former identifier
  • 1002060

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