Remediation of Mucorales-contaminated healthcare linens in a laundry facility after　investigation of a hospital-acquired case cluster of Mucormycosis.

Clinical Infectious Diseases, ciab638, https: //doi.org/10.1093/cid/ciab638

Commentary

This study will be about the investigation of a case of Mucormycosis acquired at a transplant recipient's hospital and the delivered healthcare linen (HCL) was found to be contaminated with Mucorales.

Therefore, this research report will explain the investigation and remediation of mucorales contamination in laundries that supply the center.

Monthly RODAC cultures of HCL were performed upon arrival at the hospital, and on-site inspections and surveillance cultures were performed at the laundry facility.

Remediation was also designed and implemented by the Infection Prevention, Facility Leadership Team.

The results showed that prior to the remediation, 20% of HCLs were culture positive for Mucorales upon arrival at the hospital. It is reported that the layout and processes of the laundry facility are consistent with industry standards.

A significant step-up in Mucorales and HCL mold culture positivity was detected in the post-drying step, with further increases to 17% and 40% culture positivity, respectively, during holding prior to transport.

Field inspection then revealed a large accumulation of Mucorales-positive lint in the rooftop air intakes and exhaust vents that cooled the dryer.

After environmental remediation, quality assurance measures, and education towards these sources, the Mucorales culture positivity rate for newly provided HCL dropped to 0.3% (P = .0001).

The area of lint contaminated roofs decreased from 918 meters to 2 satellite images to 20 meters.