Robotic versus manual disinfection of global priority pathogens at COVID-19 dedicated hospitals.

Abstract

Background: Twelve bacterial families were identified as global priority pathogens by the World Health Organization in 2017, recognizing the greatest threat they pose to human health and the declining antibiotic efficacy. Robotics has emerged as a swift and contactless tool for disinfecting bacterial surface contamination in healthcare facilities, however, head-to-head comparison of disinfection efficacy of robotic versus manual disinfections is limited. This study aimed at comparing how robotic disinfection performs over manual disinfection against the global priority pathogens in the healthcare setting.

Methods: A spraying disinfection robot was developed, and its disinfection efficacy was compared against manual disinfection during July 2020-December 2020. Disinfections were performed on the clinical surfaces and inanimate objects at two hospitals in Nepal using robotic or manual application of a disinfectant (NaOCl). Swab samples from floor, bed, doorknob, and medical devices at both hospitals were collected before and after disinfection and examined for total heterotrophic plate count and bacterial pathogens were identified based on Gram's staining and biochemical characteristics. Disinfection outcomes were reported as log reduction (log₁₀ CFU/inch²) of heterotrophic count and presence or absence of target bacteria. A total of 76 samples were collected from two study sites including major pathogens: Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Acinetobacter spp., and Klebsiella pneumoniae, among others.

Results: Both robotic and manual disinfection significantly reduced microbial load (log 2.3 to log 5.8) in the hospitals. No pathogens were detected post-disinfection using the robot. The use of robotic disinfection was more effective, significantly reducing more bacterial load (log 5.8) compared to manual disinfection (log 3.95).

Conclusions: Our results showed better efficacy of robotic disinfection compared to manual disinfection of hospital surfaces, and thus contactless robotic disinfection is recommended for disinfecting bacterial contamination of surfaces in the hospital and clinical settings as it favors patient safety against global priority pathogens.