Authors (including presenting author) :
Lam K, Lau KL, Lam F, Wong HTE, Lee FS, Chong YYG, Yim KS, Chan YM, Choy WK, Ching KC
Affiliation :
Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, Alice Ho Miu Ling Nethersole Hospital
Introduction :
Pillows would trap fungi, bacteria, dust mites and allergens easily. The organic materials contaminated the pillow and contributed to pathologies such as allergies, asthma and chronic sinusitis. Even each pillow was well disinfected with diluted bleach after use, the cleanliness of the pillow cases in Hong Kong public hospital was not well researched.
The growth acceleration of organisms and organic residues contains Adenosine Triphosphate (ATP) which emits light after chemical reaction. The amount of light, as measured by the luminometer, is expressed in relative light units (RLUs). If the value of RLUs is above 250, the pillow is considered as unclean. This study, therefore, investigates the cleanliness of the inner pillow cases. Its results and implications will also be reported and explored.
Objectives :
1. To investigate the values of RLUs for pillow cases
2. To find out any relationship between the values of RLUs and various demographic characteristics
Methodology :
Cross sectional and correlational design was adopted. The pillow cases in three orthopaedic wards were swabbed and the values of RLUs were shown on the screen of the luminometer. The sex, age, total hours of pillow usage, education level, monthly income, mobility, supporting part, whether wound dressing was contracted with pillow, dementia status and infectious status were collected in the demographic data sheet.
Result & Outcome :
A total of 66 pillow cases were investigated. The mean age of participants was 67 years old (SD: 18, range: 14-90) with 52% were male. The mean hours of pillow usage was 253 (SD:453).
20% pillow cases (13) were unclean. The mean value of RLUs was 414.23 (SD: 2194, range: 8-17852). After using Spearmen rho to test for the correlation between the values of RLUs against age and total hours of pillow usage, no relationship was found. After using Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney U to test for any group difference between the values of RLUs and various demographic data, there was no significant difference except different levels of education had significant difference in the values of RLUs (p< 0.03). However, no linear relationship was observed.
In order to ensure the cleanliness of pillow cases, regular cleansing of inner pillow cases and change of outer pillow cases such as weekly were recommended. Application of pillow cases with antimicrobial and antifungal specification could also be considered.
