HARTMANN SCIENCE CENTER Symposium 2026

Blood pressure cuffs are among the most frequently used medical devices in both hospital and outpatient settings. From an infection prevention perspective, however, they represent a significant challenge: high patient turnover, limited time resources and material-related constraints often hinder consistent and effective reprocessing. In daily practice, this frequently leads to deviations from hygiene recommendations, with potential implications for patient safety.

This presentation addresses the gap between regulatory requirements, hygiene guidelines and their real-world implementation. Based on observations from clinical practice and the presenter’s own data, common weaknesses of conventional blood pressure cuffs are highlighted, particularly regarding material surfaces, closure mechanisms and reprocessability.

In the second part, an alternative approach is introduced: a wipe-disinfectable blood pressure cuff specifically designed for routine hygienic reprocessing. Laboratory and application data demonstrate how targeted material selection and product design can enable reliable and effective disinfection without adding complexity or time burden to clinical workflows.

The presentation concludes with an outlook on the role of reprocessing-friendly medical device design in future infection prevention strategies and discusses how design-driven solutions can help bridge the gap between hygiene standards and everyday clinical reality.

Hospital cleaning is a central yet often underestimated component of healthcare systems. Thorough cleaning plays a crucial role in patient safety, as studies show that clean environments significantly reduce the risk of infections. Without professional cleaning, hygienic procedures and thus the functioning of hospitals would not be possible. Nevertheless, the work of cleaning staff often remains invisible and receives little recognition.

One major reason for this is the image of the sector. Common prejudices—such as the assumption that cleaning is a simple task or a less demanding profession—shape public perception. These stereotypes negatively influence employee motivation and long-term retention. At the same time, the sector’s image directly affects patients’ trust in the hygiene and safety of healthcare facilities, as well as the attractiveness of companies as employers.

To address this issue, social media can be used as an effective communication platform. Networks such as Instagram, TikTok, and LinkedIn make it possible to increase the visibility of cleaning work and create new narratives. Authentic storytelling is particularly powerful: real people, personal stories, and insights into the daily work of cleaning staff can foster closeness, identification, and understanding.

The campaign #RespektFürReinigungskräfte (Respect for cleaning staff) by Bogdol Gebäudereinigung GmbH demonstrates how social media can help emotionalize the cleaning sector, challenge taken-for-granted perceptions, and give cleaning staff a voice. Through targeted communication, it is possible to positively influence image, brand awareness, and even recruitment. Visibility creates appreciation—and thus forms an important foundation for the future of (hospital) cleaning.

Outbreaks are particularly challenging in long-term care facilities, especially in wards for people with dementia or in geriatric psychiatric settings.

Outbreak management, as well as hygiene and isolation measures, are complex and demanding.

Isolation and quarantine measures not only put a strain on physical health but also have proven negative consequences for the psychosocial health of vulnerable residents. Although the psychosocial consequences are well documented, concrete strategies to minimize them are often lacking.

Practical strategies and shared experiences are therefore essential. Isolation measures should be adapted according to the size of the outbreak and the institution/ward.

This presentation summarizes the epidemiology, transmission dynamics, and hygiene measures during a norovirus outbreak.

The established method for testing the efficacy of disinfectants is based on standardised suspension and practical carrier tests; however, it does not adequately reflect the complex conditions of real-world surface contamination in healthcare settings. Phase 3 testing protocols therefore aim to evaluate products under realistic conditions of use. A two-stage Phase 3 concept comprises Phase 3/Stage 1 as a ‘simulated-use’ approach and Phase 3/Stage 2 as a field test. In Phase 3/Stage 1, modified four-field tests with clinically relevant isolates are used to replicate real-world conditions in the laboratory. Nevertheless, these studies remain within an experimental setting, in which microorganisms are cultured under optimised growth conditions and usually only single species or defined mixed populations are considered. In contrast, field tests enable evaluation under real-world conditions with the natural, complex surface microbiota. This is characterised by high diversity and varying physiological states on surfaces subject to high environmental stress for the microorganisms, which significantly influence sensitivity to disinfectants. Field tests thus reflect the actual exposure situation much more accurately. One evaluation concept is the newly conceptualised ‘replication capacity after use’ (RCAU), which describes the ability of microorganisms to replicate following exposure under conditions of use. As RCAU depends heavily on physiological status, laboratory-based tests can only reflect real-world susceptibility to a limited extent. Overall, these concepts demonstrate that simulated-use approaches represent an approximation, whilst field tests achieve the highest degree of real-world relevance and thus provide the most robust basis for assessing effective product performance.

The efficacy of alcohol-based hand rubs (ABHR) is tested in accordance with European standards using standardized procedures. EN 1500 provides a practical test for hygienic hand disinfection, which is usually carried out with a minimum volume of 3 mL. However, in everyday clinical practice, there is a discrepancy between the recommended and actual application amounts. Often, a smaller volume than the recommended amount is used. In addition, some ABHRs require larger amounts (>3 mL) to meet the required efficacy standards.

In order to better understand the influence of volume on hand wetting, the first step was to examine different formats of ABHRs (liquid, gel, foam) in terms of wetting, spillage, drying time, and user satisfaction. Afterwards, different volumes of liquid HDM were examined in terms of wetting, drying time, and user satisfaction. In a next step, the application quantities that achieved sufficient wetting of the hands were analyzed in terms of their antimicrobial efficacy.

The various formats were tested using 3 ABHRs (each containing 85% (w/w) ethanol). The participants disinfected their hands on 3 days using the respective formats and the volume specified by the manufacturer. Rubbing was performed on paper to determine the dripping behavior.

In the follow-up study, participants were asked to disinfect their hands on 6 days with a specific amount of a propanol-based HDM (75% w/w) (0.5-3 mL).

For the wetting analyses, all HDMs used were mixed with a fluorescent dye (Visirub®). Hand wetting was measured using Hand-in-Scan™. The rubbing time was defined as the time until the participants' hands were subjectively dry. All participants were then asked to rate their satisfaction with the product. Both studies were conducted with untrained participants outside the healthcare sector.

The efficacy testing was performed with 1.5 mL of a propanol-based HDM in an accredited laboratory using a contact plate.

Regardless of the format, all three ABHRs achieved good wetting of the hands. While the liquid dried significantly faster, the foam showed better dripping behavior compared to the other formats.

In addition, there was a clear correlation between the volume of ABHR and wetting as well as rubbing time. Just 1 mL was sufficient to wet both hands in less than 20 seconds. However, the participants preferred larger amounts of ABHR (>2 mL). Interestingly, neither wetting nor rubbing time correlated with the participants' hand size. The results of the efficacy testing will be presented in the lecture.

The results of the study provide further insights into the requirements for effective hand disinfection in order to bridge the gap between theory and practice.

Most pathogens causing healthcare-associated infections can be combated with the spectrum of efficacy used during basic hygiene measures. These include vegetative bacteria, yeasts, and enveloped viruses. Together, these pathogens account for around 90% of healthcare-associated infections.

Clostridioides difficile is detected in approximately 8% of nosocomial infections, making it the most significant spore-transmitted healthcare-associated infection in Germany and Europe. The spores survive for months to years on surfaces and are not inactivated by disinfectants usually used for basic hygiene measures. Recent studies have shown that, in addition to environmental surfaces and inadequate hand hygiene, centrally used equipment (e.g. MRI or CT) and wheelchairs are also involved in the spread of C. difficile as well as asymptomatic patients.

Strict hand hygiene consisting of disposable medical gloves, hand disinfection and washing, and the isolation of symptomatic patients are crucial for effective prevention. Additional personal protective equipment can also be beneficial here.

Furthermore, sporicidal surface disinfectants are essential. Products based on oxygen-releasing agents such as hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) or a combination of H₂O₂ and peracetic acid (PES) are usually recommended for this purpose. PES acts as an efficacy booster for H₂O₂ and reduces the required exposure time. However, as PES is a strong oxidising agent, there may be restrictions in terms of material compatibility and user safety. The advantages and disadvantages of a PES-containing disinfectant should be critically weighed up.

Infections with C. difficile can have serious consequences. However, with the latest scientific findings, consistent hygiene measures, and effective products for disinfection and personal protection, the final enemy C. difficile can be kept in check in the long term and nosocomial spread prevented.

When the hand reaches for the glove…

…medical disposable gloves often remain on the hands longer than necessary or unintentionally replace required hand disinfection. Gloves are an integral part of everyday clinical practice; however, their use does not always correspond to the specific situation.

Daily decisions are frequently shaped by routines, time pressure, interruptions, and complex workflows. Especially at transition points between tasks—such as between patients, the environment, and materials—it becomes evident how quickly glove use can shift from a deliberate protective measure to an automatic behavior. And this is not due to a lack of knowledge.

This is precisely where the presentation begins. Rather than focusing on individual rules, it addresses how decisions are actually made in clinical practice. Using concrete and practical examples from various settings, it illustrates how habits, organizational frameworks, and individual responsibility interact—and how they can be purposefully shaped.

The aim is to strengthen staff members’ sense of self-efficacy, enabling them to make conscious, situation-appropriate professional decisions. The focus is not on discussions about cost or environmental aspects, but on a reflective approach and a well-adjusted, appropriate use of gloves — when the hand reaches for the glove.

Climate change, urbanization and globalization are facilitating the spread of invasive mosquito species across Europe, particularly Aedes albopictus (Asian tiger mosquito) and Aedes japonicus. Both species are now established in parts of Germany and other European countries and are competent vectors for medically important arboviruses such as dengue, chikungunya and West Nile virus. While dengue causes up to 400 million infections globally each year, Europe has recently experienced an increasing number of autochthonous cases. West Nile virus has been circulating in eastern Germany since 2018, demonstrating that vector-borne transmission is no longer limited to southern Europe.

Predictive modelling indicates that rising temperatures, altered precipitation patterns and milder winters are extending transmission seasons and expanding suitable habitats. Integrated surveillance systems, vector competence studies and genomic monitoring are therefore essential to anticipate outbreaks and to guide preparedness strategies for both public health authorities and healthcare institutions.

Prevention relies on a combination of vaccination strategies, vector control and personal protective measures. Dengue vaccines are already available, and further vaccine candidates for other arboviruses are under development. At the Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine (BNITM), vaccine research is our major focus, and mosquito repellents are tested under standardized laboratory conditions. Products that demonstrate proven efficacy receive a BNITM quality seal, providing evidence-based guidance for healthcare settings and the general public.

Nosocomial infections (HAIs) represent preventable patient harm, with significant impact on morbidity, mortality, antibiotic use, and healthcare costs. In everyday practice, however, surveillance is often retrospective, resource-intensive, and incomplete: hygiene teams must manually review laboratory results, vital signs, and clinical documentation, while normal wards frequently remain under-represented.

The District Hospital St. Johann in Tirol (BKH St. Johann i. T.) and Symptoma have therefore implemented two projects demonstrating how data-driven surveillance can be pragmatically supported in routine clinical operations. An AI-assisted analysis of structured routine data (e.g., microbiology, medication, vital parameters) is combined with NLP-based analysis of physician and nursing free text to identify potentially relevant constellations according to KISS-aligned criteria and to present them to the hygiene team in a structured and prioritized manner for expert review.

A central success factor is privacy by design: all data processing is performed exclusively on-premise within the hospital infrastructure, without any transfer to external cloud environments. The solution is designed for case pre-structuring and process support in hygiene management; it does not establish diagnoses and does not replace medical decision-making. Interpretation, classification, and intervention decisions remain fully with qualified professionals.
The presentation links the perspective of hygiene—feedback, prevention, and safety culture—with digital surveillance.

This symposium is aimed at infection prevention specialists (IPC), IPC nurses, quality assurance employees, nursing and surgical managers as well as those interested in hygiene, disinfection, and infection prevention measures.

All participants will receive confirmation off attendance after the event.

The symposium is free of charge for participants.

If you would like to participate in the event, please fill out the registration form. You will then receive all further information in a confirmation mail.