Real-World Effectiveness of a Disinfectant Wipe on Healthcare Surfaces: A Multi-Center Study in Five University-Affiliated Hospitals.

backgroundHealthcare-associated infections (HAIs) pose a significant threat to patient safety, particularly for vulnerable populations such as critically ill patients, the elderly, and individuals with multiple comorbidities. Hospital surfaces often act as reservoirs for pathogens, including multidrug-resistant strains, yet conventional disinfectants frequently lack sustained activity. We evaluated the real-world effectiveness of a novel disinfectant wipe combining low-concentration didecyldimethylammonium chloride (DDAC) and organosilane quaternary ammonium compound (Si-QAC) for its immediate and persistent antimicrobial properties across multiple hospitals. MATERIALS AND

methodsA multi-center, paired-design study was conducted at five university-affiliated hospitals between March and April 2025. Eight high-touch surfaces were categorized into dry zones (

resultsA total of 640 specimens were analyzed from 160 surfaces. To ensure rigorous analysis, pairs containing "zero-point" baseline surfaces were excluded, resulting in 39 pairs (78 surfaces) for final evaluation. The experimental group showed significant reductions from baseline at 1, 6, and 24 hours (

conclusionThe DDAC+Si-QAC wipe provides superior and sustained antimicrobial activity compared to standard hospital protocols, particularly in challenging high-bioburden wet environments. While the statistical advantage diminished at 24 hours, the persistent coating effect of Si-QAC offers a robust alternative to conventional point-in-time disinfection. Integrating these wipes into routine environmental management may help prevent the formation of microbial reservoirs and contribute to reducing HAIs.