Issue link: https://beckershealthcare.uberflip.com/i/1529883
10 Executive Briefing 1 EXECUTIVE BRIEFING Over twenty years ago, an aspiring young microbiologist with a background in biochemistry posed a few simple yet profound questions: 1. What is the role of the nose in infection acquisition andtransmission? 2. Why do harmless commensal bacteria on the skin become pathogenic and lead to infection? 3. If hands are decolonized to reduce risk of infection, shouldn't the skin at the nasal vestibule be decolonized, too, especially considering high frequency of hand-to-nose contact? Surprised by the lack of comprehensive answers, he embarked on a research journey. With support from several experts, including a long-time professor at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, and funding from National Institutes of Health (NIH) grants, he discovered that the skin of the nasal vestibule serves as a signifi cant reservoir for pathogens and is a critical portal for opportunistic microorganisms. Reducing and maintaining low nasal carriage of pathogenic organisms at this site could signifi cantly decrease infection risk, but achieving this proved more challenging than anticipated. That microbiologist is John Willimann, CEO of Nozin, a company revolutionizing the prevention of healthcare- associated infections (HAIs). The right tool for nasal decolonization programs Despite signifi cant efforts to prevent infections in healthcare, HAIs still cause over 700,000 infections and nearly 100,000 deaths annually in the U.S., costing billions of dollars. The nose is a primary reservoir for many HAIcausing pathogens. Traditional agents used for nasal decolonization, such as mupirocin antibiotic or iodophor, have limitations which could constrain universal adoption for all patients. An alcohol-based nasal antiseptic that is nonantibiotic, well-tolerated and pleasant to use would offer the optimum suitability for universal nasal decolonization. This realization led to the development of the Nozin® Nasal Sanitizer® antiseptic, which is designed as a specially formulated, broad-spectrum antimicrobial for topical application to nasal vestibule skin. Universal nasal decolonization is key to reducing infection rates and lowering costs While nasal decolonization is a critical component to patient safety and quality of care, Willimann emphasizes that it is just part of a comprehensive approach to infection prevention and control (IPC). By integrating nasal decolonization with existing protocols, healthcare facilities enhance the overall effectiveness of their IPC programs. Willimann suggests that "including universal nasal decolonization provides opportunity to lower pathogen burden in a facility and unlock more potential for positive outcomes." Preventing avoidable infections is a straightforward way to reduce healthcare costs. Addressing nasal colonization is a relatively simple approach to help reduce HAIs and associated costs. In the past decade, clinical evidence for universal nasal decolonization has surged. Over 1,000 hospitals have adopted Nozin programs for their nasal decolonization, reporting encouraging results such as reductions in surgical site infections (SSIs) and decreases in central line-associated bloodstream infections (CLABSIs). These positive outcomes are supported by more than 20 independently conducted clinical studies demonstrating the effectiveness of the Nozin interventions. Furthermore, a meta-analysis recently published in the American Journal of Infection Control (AJIC) suggests that the alcohol- based antiseptic (Nozin® Nasal Sanitizer®) is superior to both mupirocin and iodophor for nasal decolonization. Revolutionizing Infection Prevention: The Case for Universal Nasal Decolonization " The nasal vestibule is not just a site of colonization but a main pathogen reservoir and this offers an opportunity to interrupt the infection chain before it starts," says Willimann.