Utility of nano-impregnated surface coating to achieve continuous active disinfection in ICU of a tertiary trauma center

Sharin Varma; Nirupam Madaan; Purva Mathur; Aparna Ningombam; Rajesh Malhotra; Ganga Prasad

doi:10.3855/jidc.21290

Utility of nano-impregnated surface coating to achieve continuous active disinfection in ICU of a tertiary trauma center

Authors

Sharin Varma Department of Microbiology, Jai Prakash Narayan Apex Trauma Centre, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1637-7043
Nirupam Madaan Department of Hospital Administration, Jai Prakash Narayan Apex Trauma Centre, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India
Purva Mathur Department of Laboratory Medicine, Jai Prakash Narayan Apex Trauma Centre, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India
Aparna Ningombam Department of Laboratory Medicine, Jai Prakash Narayan Apex Trauma Centre, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India
Rajesh Malhotra Department of Orthopedics, Jai Prakash Narayan Apex Trauma Centre, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India
Ganga Prasad Department of Anesthesiology Pain Medicine and Critical Care, Jai Prakash Narayan Apex Trauma Centre, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1178-4643

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.3855/jidc.21290

Keywords:

infection control, hospital acquired infection, continuous active disinfection, antimicrobial, coating, decontamination

Abstract

Introduction: Implementing continuous active disinfection presents challenges as conventional cleaning methods may not fully mitigate risks. Hence, evaluating innovative technologies becomes imperative. This study assessed a nanoparticle-based surface coating containing titanium dioxide engineered into nano-molecules that is activated by normal light and provides ongoing disinfection.

Methodology: The research took place in two intensive care units (ICUs): ICU A (coated) and ICU B (control). Data on healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) and environmental factors were collected pre- and post-coating application to gauge its impact. The change in percentage of positive swabs/HAI cases in ICU A was compared to ICU B and statistically analyzed using a 2-sample test for equality of proportions.

Results: ICU A witnessed a 26.5% decrease in positive environment swabs post-coating, while ICU B saw a 160.9% increase. This disparity was statistically significant (p = 0.000). Both ICUs experienced decreased ventilator associated pneumonia (VAP) cases, though central line associated-blood steam infection (CLA-BSI) and catheter associated urinary tract infection (CAUTI) cases increased in ICU A post application. Following coating, positive environmental swabs and VAP decreased by 71.8%, and 72.5%, while CLA-BSI and CAUTI increased by 198% and 43.5%.

Conclusions: The evaluation showed that the coating may serve to supplement traditional cleaning and disinfection methods. Further research into the efficacy and cost-effectiveness of such antimicrobial coating is needed for overall improvement in patient care.

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Published

2026-09-30

How to Cite

Varma S, Madaan N, Mathur P, Ningombam A, Malhotra R, Prasad G (2026) Utility of nano-impregnated surface coating to achieve continuous active disinfection in ICU of a tertiary trauma center. J Infect Dev Ctries 20:1361–1367. doi: 10.3855/jidc.21290

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Issue

Vol. 20 No. 09: September 2026

Section

Original Articles

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