By HFT Staff

ActivePure Medical, a division of AP Sciences Group, LLC, announced results from a pioneering study published in the American Journal of Infection Control. The study demonstrates the impact of ActivePure Technology in its Induct Guardian Series air decontamination system, showing a 96 to 99 percent reduction in methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and a 70 percent decrease in total healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) across two hospitals. 

The research, conducted across intensive care units at two major hospitals – Ochsner Health Center-West Bank, Gretna, Louisiana, and Lexington Veterans Affairs (VA) Healthcare System, Troy Bowling Campus, Lexington, Kentucky – revealed significant and persistent reductions in surface and air contamination, including concerning organisms like MRSA and fungi, following installation of the Induct Guardian Series air decontamination system with ActivePure Technology. 

The significant microbial reductions in the treated hospital spaces after activation of ActivePure Technology translated into substantially lower incidence of HAIs at both study sites compared to baseline, offering compelling evidence that continuous environmental decontamination can meaningfully enhance patient safety. At Ochsner Health, total aggregate HAIs declined by 71 percent over a 21-month period, while the Lexington VA site saw HAIs fall by 70 percent over 12 months. Notably, the study demonstrated a 96 to 99 percent reduction in mean surface MRSA and fungal levels across both facilities. 

HAIs are a significant concern within hospitals, skilled nursing facilities and other healthcare settings globally. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that there are approximately 722,000 HAIs and 75,000 HAI-related deaths per year in the U.S. HAIs lead to significant human suffering, including early deaths, debilitation and lost productivity. Beyond that, they also result in unnecessary direct medical costs of at least $28.4 billion annually, with additional societal costs amounting to another $12.4 billion. 

The alarming rise of antimicrobial-resistant pathogens (AMR) driving elevated infection rates, even after COVID-19 surges subsided, underscores an urgent need for new environmental countermeasures. A recent study examining AMR trends across 120 U.S. hospitals found that while overall rates have nearly returned to pre-pandemic levels, hospital-acquired AMR infections remained at least 12 percent higher as of late 2022, primarily driven by difficult-to-treat gram-negative strains. 

Published data highlights from the AJIC study include: 

• 98 to 99 percent reduction in mean surface MRSA and fungal levels across both facilities 
• 96 to 99.7 percent reduction in mean floor MRSA and fungal contamination 
• 72 to 89 percent reduction of airborne bacteria and fungi 
• 71 percent decline in total aggregate HAIs over 21-months at the Ochsner site, and 70 percent over 12 months at the Lexington VA site 

Additional data collected up to 25 months post-activation at Ochsner Health Center-West Bank showed continued efficacy of the ActivePure Technology. The extended observation period demonstrated sustained reductions in surface contamination levels, with MRSA and fungal CFUs remaining consistently below baseline levels. Furthermore, the incidence of HAIs in the study ICU continued to show improvement, with an aggregate reduction of 67 percent over the 25-month period compared to pre-activation data.