WDGMC
5.4.2022 08:47:12 CEST | Business Wire | Press release
Wits University Donald Gordon Medical Centre announced novel study results indicating for the first time that Ultraviolet (UV) room decontamination technology paired with manual cleaning protocols decreased the transmission of Carbapenem-resistant Enterobacterales (CRE) by 23% in a hospital setting. The study results have been published in the March 2022 issue of The Journal of Hospital Infection.
The team of researchers at Wits Donald Gordon Medical Centre (WDGMC), the first private teaching hospital in South Africa, demonstrated the reduction in CRE transmission following a 26-month study and the sustained use of a UV room decontamination device (UVDI-360 Room Sanitizer, provided by US-based manufacturer UVDI and eHealthGroup Infection Control) as an adjunct to standard cleaning, including the use of bleach and quaternary ammonium disinfectants, across the 210-bed hospital. The intervention included broad UV room decontamination across five high-risk patient units (including critical care, oncology, transplant and gastrointestinal surgery rooms) during a 12-month period following a 12-month baseline and two-month, wash-in period.
“Our team’s study indicated that enhanced environmental hygiene utilizing UV room decontamination technology in the hospital can help prevent the transmission of Carbapenem-resistant Enterobacterales , an especially challenging set of multidrug-resistant organisms,” stated lead investigator Dr. Warren Lowman, Clinical Microbiologist & Infection Prevention and Control Specialist, Wits Donald Gordon Medical Centre.
The UV room decontamination device was implemented in three usage scenarios: terminal cleaning following patient discharge, terminal cleaning following patient transfer and, in a novel treatment, occupied rooms where the patient had an existing MDRO infection and was moved during device use. For each scenario, the UV device was operated with five-minute treatment cycles, the number of which varied per room setting and size.
CRE refers to a broader set of microorganisms that demonstrate resistance to at least one of the Carbapenem antibiotics.1 Recent published surveillance studies in South Africa have indicated a CRE infection crude mortality rate of nearly 40%.2
“This research underlines WDGMC’s steadfast commitment to patient and staff safety through the use of novel infection prevention protocols,” said Dr. Sue Tager, Chief Executive Officer, Wits Donald Gordon Medical Centre. “In the ongoing fight to prevent the transmission of superbugs, both in and beyond Africa, these results provide hope and concrete proof that effective solutions exist.”
About Wits Donald Gordon Medical Centre
Wits Donald Gordon Medical Centre (WDGMC) is the first and only private teaching hospital in South Africa. It was established in 2002 when the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits University) bought the Kenridge Hospital with a founding donation from the Donald Gordon Foundation. The institution was then renamed the Wits Donald Gordon Medical Centre. The 210-bed facility’s main specialties are transplant surgery, oncology (paediatric and adult), gastroenterology (medical and surgical), geriatric medicine, interventional radiology ophthalmology, ear-nose and throat, urology, nephrology, cardiology, women’s health and orthopaedics.
___________
1
https://www.cdc.gov/hai/organisms/cre/technical-info.html
2
Perovic O, Ismail H, Quan V, Bamford C, Nana T, Chibabhai V, Bhola P, Ramjathan P, Swe Swe-Han K, Wadula J, Whitelaw A, Smith M, Mbelle N, Singh-Moodley A; for GERMS-SA. Carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae in patients with bacteraemia at tertiary hospitals in South Africa, 2015 to 2018. Eur J Clin Microbiol Infect Dis. 2020 Jul;39(7):1287-1294. doi: 10.1007/s10096-020-03845-4. Epub 2020 Mar 2. PMID: 32124106.
View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220404006042/en/
Link:
About Business Wire
Subscribe to releases from Business Wire
Subscribe to all the latest releases from Business Wire by registering your e-mail address below. You can unsubscribe at any time.
Latest releases from Business Wire
Lexon × Jeff Koons Unveil the Chromatic Collection: a Colorful New Chapter for the Acclaimed Balloon Dog Lamp and Balloon Dog Speaker24.3.2026 15:10:00 CET | Press release
Eight new models introduce vibrant color variations, expanding the collection’s appeal to new and existing collectors alike. Following the success of its 2025 inaugural edition, the Lexon × Jeff Koons collaboration enters a bold new era with the launch of the Chromatic Collection—a colorful evolution of its Balloon Dog Lamp and Balloon Dog Speaker. Pre-orders will be available starting March 24, 2026, exclusively on lexon-design.com as part of a time-limited edition. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260324498068/en/ Lexon x Jeff Koons — new Chromatic Collection Retaining the signature translucent body that reveals the technology within, the Chromatic Collection introduces eight models: Balloon Dog Lamps in Gold, Blue, Red, and Platinum, and Balloon Dog Speakers in Gold, Blue, Red, and White, reinforcing the collectible nature of the series, offering new audiences an entry point while giving existing collectors
iQmetrix Joins TM Forum as ODA Component Directory Partner, Giving Telecom Operators a Faster, Cleaner Path to Modern Commerce24.3.2026 15:00:00 CET | Press release
Platform’s Standards-Based Architecture Reduces Integration Risk and Accelerates Transformation for CSPs Worldwide iQmetrix, the global provider of Interconnected Commerce solutions purpose-built for telecom retail, today announced it has joined TM Forum and earned recognition as an Open Digital Architecture (ODA) Component Directory Partner. The achievement validates that iQmetrix aligns with the ODA vision and that its platform is built around standardized open APIs, modular cloud-native components, and interoperable architecture aligned with how leading operators are building their digital futures. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260324562860/en/ iQmetrix partners with TM Forum’s ODA Component Directory to accelerate open, future‑ready telecom transformation The recognition comes as communications service providers (CSPs) accelerate AI adoption and move away from integration-heavy legacy environments. For o
Miro Acquires Reforge to Help Organizations Navigate the Transition to AI24.3.2026 14:00:00 CET | Press release
Together, Reforge and Miro will provide a powerful and highly differentiated solution for teams that blends the tools and knowledge needed to innovate in the AI era Miro®, the AI Innovation Workspace for teams, today announced that it has acquired (subject to customary closing conditions) Reforge, an AI platform for product teams. The deal includes Reforge's team, learning platform, and AI-powered product development tools. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260324623461/en/ Organizations are grappling with how to leverage AI to its full potential. In many cases, the problem is not how to code faster, but deciding what to build. That's the bottleneck slowing companies down today. Miro and Reforge are both solving this challenge for customers – tackling the need to build both at speed and with clear strategic direction. Miro brings a collaborative AI workflows platform that brings teams and AI together to plan, co
Xsolla and Stevenage FC Launch Charity Campaign With SpecialEffect to Make Gaming Accessible for All24.3.2026 14:00:00 CET | Press release
Donation Of 50 Accessible Setups Reinforces Xsolla’s Commitment To Inclusive Gaming Xsolla, a global video game commerce company that helps developers launch, grow, and monetize their games, has partnered with Stevenage FC to launch a charity campaign with SpecialEffect in the United Kingdom, a charity dedicated to helping everyone to have the ability to enjoy video games. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260324722671/en/ Graphic: Xsolla Through the Official Partnership of Stevenage FC, Xsolla is donating the kit for the April 6th match vs Blackpool. SpecialEffect will be the primary kit brand for the match and will receive a percentage of the jersey sales leading up to the match and throughout the rest of the season. Xsolla will match donations from jersey sales, with the goal of using the funds to provide up to 50 Accessible Setups to disabled gamers at the end of the 2025-2026 season, and to support programs
SES Taps K2 Space to Accelerate Next-Gen MEO Satellite Network, meoSphere24.3.2026 14:00:00 CET | Press release
Next-generation Medium Earth Orbit (MEO) network is a multi-mission constellation targeted at meeting fast growing commercial and defense needs with flexible scaling approach. SES, a space solutions company, today announced it will deploy meoSphere, a next-generation medium Earth orbit (MEO) satellite network targeted for operation by 2030 and designed to significantly boost the company’s MEO network capacity. The program launches with a close collaboration designed for efficient satellite production. SES will pair its own software-defined payloads, being developed and manufactured in Luxembourg, with an initial 28 high-power satellite platforms developed by K2 Space, representing the first phase of the broader meoSphere rollout. The collaboration gives SES tighter control over key supply-chain elements, compresses the build timeline, and allows the company to manage schedules and costs with precision, laying the foundation for future scalability. meoSphere is SES’s next generation MEO
In our pressroom you can read all our latest releases, find our press contacts, images, documents and other relevant information about us.
Visit our pressroom