News
August 23, 2018 Mthatha Express
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FOCUS ON: YOUR HEALTH Resistance of germs to antibiotics is a growing concern REPORTER “THE mounting resistance of germs to antibiotics is a growing global concern that requires much greater attention and vigilance, not only within healthcare but from every level of society, if we are to successfully combat this threat into the future.” This is the warning expressed by Dr Ricky Dippenaar, a Cape Town neonatologist based at Netcare Blaauwberg Hospital who is well known in South Africa for his pioneering work with micro-premature babies. “We are currently losing the battle against these rapidly evolving germs, which are now becoming resistant to our antibiotics faster than we are able to develop and produce new drugs to combat them,” he noted. For Dippenaar, who has been part of a local study to investigate the effectiveness of the use of a new Pulsed Xenon (PX) disinfecting ultraviolet (UV-C) robot to assist in destroying these germs, including bacteria, viruses and fungi, within the hospital setting, “the prospect of humankind running out of the means to combat these increasingly drug resistant microorganisms is frightening, and we all need to play our part to assist in combating this very real peril. “We require much greater vigilance with regard to the use of antibiotics, or antibiotic stewardship, not only in South Africa, but across the African continent, where in some countries these types of drugs are easily available, even on the streets,” emphasises Dippenaar. He says the correct use of these important medicines is critical if we are to maintain their effectiveness and protect ourselves from antibiotic resistance. This involves the use of antibiotics only when absolutely necessary, and the correct medicines
and doses to match the condition involved. “Patients can and must play their part by taking their medicines exactly as prescribed and always be sure to complete their course of antibiotics. They should also resist the temptation to pressurise their clinicians to prescribe antibiotics for every medical condition they may suffer from.” According to Dippenaar, innovative infection control programmes, technologies and medicines do bring hope of solutions to the ever-developing problem, particularly within the hospital setting, where many ill patients have weakened immune systems and are particularly susceptible to infection. Dippenaar has been a part of an ongoing study on the use of the Pulsed Xenon UV disinfecting robot within an expressed human milk (EHM) feed preparation unit of Netcare Blaauwberg Hospital, and recently presented the team’s findings at the third Biennial USANA (United South African Neonatal Association) Conference. Using the Pulsed Xenon UV light emitting robot, which is distributed locally by pan-African pharmaceutical and medical technology company, Kiara Health, within the hospital’s sensitive expressed human milk feed preparation area, an impressive 90% reduction in surface bioburden, or the number of microbes living on a particular surface, was achieved. “While our local study, the first of its kind in South Africa using this pioneering technology, has been relatively small and is ongoing, it is confirming what many other studies conducted at hospitals around the world have revealed: this little robot is a highly effective infection prevention and control tool within hospital environments,” adds Dippenaar. “It should be noted that Netcare has stringent, and highly effective, infection control measures in place at all of its hospitals, and we are also
of course particularly cautious within our neonatal unit at Netcare Blaauwberg Hospital, where we treat a number of highly vulnerable premature babies, who have immature immune systems. “What this study also revealed to the team, however, is there are an increasing number of microorganisms that are becoming resistant to traditional forms of infection control and cleaning measures. “This remarkable robot, which uses pulsed PX-UVD light to destroy such organisms, provides an additional layer of protection to our existing infection control measures. “We believe that while the device is not a proverbial ‘silver bullet’ for all infection control challenges, the technology will form a critical part of the future of infection control measures within healthcare facilities the world over.” Dippenaar and Professor Johan Smith, head paediatric neonatologist at Tygerberg Children’s Hospital and the University of Stellenbosch, published the study of their initial findings on the use of the disinfecting robot in the journal, BMC Infectious Diseases, earlier this year. They concluded that, “The use of a PX-UVD as an adjunct to the facility’s standard cleaning protocols within the EHM feed preparation areas was associated with a significant decrease in bioburden.” Dippenaar’s team noted a further important benefit of the use of the robot within their unit beyond its impressive germ-destroying capabilities: “Wherever the little robot, which looks a little like R2-D2 from Star Wars, is taken, it tends to provide an additional reminder to all of us medical staff, including doctors and nurses, of the importance of vigilance at all times when it comes to infection control. Senior clinical advisor at Netcare, Dr Caroline Maslo, says, “Using this new disinfection tech-
; Dr Ricky Dippenaar has been part of a local study to investigate the effectiveness of the use of a new Pulsed Xenon (PX) disinfecting ultraviolet (UV-C).
PHOTO:SUPPLIED
nology in Netcare hospitals is keeping our facilities abreast of the latest advances in the global fight against microbe resistance in healthcare facilities.” “The robots are proving effective and efficient, and are tough on germs yet gentle on the environment. In addition to their germ destroying capabilities, we found it particularly impressive that the robots can be used 24 hours a day, seven days a week and can be moved around easily within our facilities to achieve thorough disinfection quickly with minimal disruption to busy hospital areas. “The robots require no water during operation, thus rendering them optimally water-wise, and they furthermore use minimal electricity,” explained Maslo. “We cannot rest on our laurels when it comes to infection control within the hospital environment – you cannot think that you have won the battle against these ever evolving microbes. “What is required in this battle is ongoing vigilance, and this applies to all of us. If we do not address the dangers of microbial resistance on every front, we may soon find that we have run out of options,” concludes Dippenaar.
Men advised to check for lumps too REPORTER DISCOVERING a painful testicular lump or having a swollen testicle is one of the major indicators of testicular cancer, according to a new study. Early diagnosis of testicular cancer often means shorter periods of treatment, fewer complications and may help improve fertility, says a leading South African urologist. The study, by the University of Exeter Medical School in the UK, was the first to examine symptoms of testicular cancer using data from general practice surgeries. It found that the combined presence of a testicular lump and swelling resulted in a high probability of testicular cancer. Testicular pain, inflammation and groin pain were also symptoms that may be linked to cancer, the study found. Urologist, Dr Laurie Blake, from The Urology Hospital, Pretoria, said men should selfexamine their testicles monthly and if a lump is detected, they should immediately see a
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urologist or contact The Urology Hospital. “Not all lumps are cancerous. Your urologist will do a clinical assessment and an ultrasound is one of the mechanisms we used to identify whether a lump is malignant. “Often, cancerous lumps are not painful which is why patients do not present themselves at the outset. It is vital that as soon as a lump is detected the patient consult a urologist as early detection saves lives,” he added. Blake said testicular cancer was uncommon, affecting less than five to 10 men per 100 000, but it is on the rise according to the Cancer Association of SA which says it largely affects men between the ages of 15 and 39. It is also more common in men who have a familial history of testis cancer, said Blake. It is also more prevalent in men who have had undescended testes. “Testicular cancer has a predictable spread through the lymph nodes and if you detect it early, you can avoid having radiation or chemo therapy. If, however, it is necessary to remove the testicle, a man can function normally with one testis,” added Blake.
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