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
EcoOnline Recognised as a Leader in Verdantix Green Quadrant: EHS Software 2026 for Third Time21.9.2026 18:43:00 CEST | Press release
EcoOnline achieved highest score for Safety Management and ranked among the top three vendors for Chemicals Management, Training and Contractor Safety with Lone Worker Protection a key differentiator. EcoOnline, the global provider of software that transforms how organisations protect people and the planet, has been recognised for the third consecutive time as a Leader in the independent Verdantix Green Quadrant: EHS Software 2026 report, with market-leading strength in Safety Management. The assessment evaluated leading vendors of environmental, health and safety software vendors across a range of capabilities and customer buying signals. Verdantix recognised EcoOnline’s strength in the areas organisations rely on to protect workers every day: Safety Management, Chemicals Management, AI-enabled Training and Contractor Safety. It reflects the changing needs of EHS buyers, who are increasingly looking for integrated platforms that connect everyday safety with broader operational risk an
rhode Announces the Return of Limited Edition Favorites and New Exclusives at Sephora Across Europe and the U.K.21.9.2026 15:00:00 CEST | Press release
rhode, the beauty brand founded by Hailey Rhode Bieber and part of e.l.f. Beauty (NYSE: ELF), has announced that two community-favorite Peptide Lip Tints and a new Sephora-exclusive bag will launch at Sephora across Europe and the U.K. to celebrate the brand’s launch into Sephora in Europe on September 30, 2026. These items will join the brand’s assortment of high-performance skincare and hybrid makeup. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260921199856/en/ rhode announces the return of limited edition favorites and new exclusives at Sephora across Europe and the U.K. To mark the occasion with Sephora across Europe and the U.K., rhode is offering early access to purchase fan-favorite, previously limited edition Peptide Lip Tint in Pretzel at Sephora in Europe and the U.K. on the brand’s launch date September 30, before the product joins rhode’s permanent assortment globally on rhodeskin.com on October 1 and at all r
Pierre Le Manh to Step Down as PMI President and CEO21.9.2026 14:45:00 CEST | Press release
Project Management Institute (PMI), the leading authority in project management, today announced that Pierre Le Manh has decided to step down as President and Chief Executive Officer, effective September 30, 2026. Johannes Heinlein, Chief Growth Officer, has been appointed Interim President & Chief Executive Officer of PMI, also effective September 30, 2026. Pierre Le Manh joined PMI in September 2022. During his four-year tenure, he led the development and execution of PMI’s current strategy, strengthened its leadership team, expanded its capabilities through acquisitions and partnerships, and positioned PMI for a profession being rapidly transformed by artificial intelligence and a greater focus on project success. “On behalf of the Board, I want to thank Pierre Le Manh for his leadership and his commitment to PMI,” said Ike Nwankwo, Chair of the PMI Board of Directors. “PMI has a clear strategy, a strong leadership team and significant momentum. Pierre leaves the organization well p
Lenovo and Schneider Electric Partner to Bring Decarbonization Tools and Expertise to IT Channel Partners21.9.2026 14:10:00 CEST | Press release
New partnership gives channel partners a practical pathway to measure emissions, build decarbonization roadmaps, and demonstrate sustainability progress Lenovo today announced that Schneider Electric, a global energy technology leader, will join Lenovo 360 Circle as a strategic ally to bring decarbonization expertise and management tools directly to IT channel partners. Lenovo 360 Circle is Lenovo’s global sustainability community, bringing together channel partners worldwide to collaborate on shared challenges, accelerate sustainability transformation, and turn sustainability ambitions into business opportunities. Through its Allyship program, Lenovo 360 Circle connects partners with leading technology and industry organizations to enable collaboration and provide access to specialized expertise that helps partners accelerate their sustainability goals. As its newest strategic ally, Schneider Electric will bring its Decarbonization Champion initiative to the community, giving eligible
Serbian Biotech Startup Takes Its Journey from Belgrade to Cambridge with Documentary on Longevity Science21.9.2026 13:02:00 CEST | Press release
BioEridan, a Serbian biotechnology company backed by Telekom Srbija Group’s TS Ventures Fund, has premiered a documentary charting its journey from an early scientific project in Belgrade to an emerging biotechnology venture focused on longevity research BioEridan, a Serbian biotechnology startup backed by Telekom Srbija Group’s TS Ventures Fund, has premiered a new documentary showcasing its development of underwater Aquafarms and its ambition to contribute to the next generation of longevity science. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260921345879/en/ BioEridan Documentary Premiere BioEridan: Science Beneath the Surface premiered in Belgrade on September 15 before being screened the following day at a UK-Serbia Health, Digital Transformation & Innovation roundtable held at Christ’s College, University of Cambridge, as part of Cambridge Tech Week 2026. The roundtable brought together prominent representatives fr
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