Will replacing damaged hospital mattresses or mattress covers solve the problem of mattress contamination?

No, this will not solve the problem. Replacement of damaged mattresses and mattress covers can certainly reduce infections, but this is only a temporary solution.^6-9 Over time, mattresses and their covers will become damaged again due to the use of harsh disinfectants and everyday wear and tear. Following MIFUs can limit this damage, but these 5 to 6 step processes are often impractical and take too much time. Furthermore, we have been unable to find any evidence that demonstrates manual cleaning processes can achieve the recommended level of disinfection on mattresses, regardless of mattress age or condition.

References

6. Bousquet A, van der Mee-Marquet N, Dubost C, et al. Outbreak of CTX-M-15–producing Enterobacter cloacae associated with therapeutic beds and syphons in an intensive care unit. Am J Infect Control. 2017;45(10):1160-1164. doi:10.1016/j.ajic.2017.04.010

7. Cadot L, Bruguière H, Jumas-Bilak E, et al. Extended spectrum beta-lactamase-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae outbreak reveals incubators as pathogen reservoir in neonatal care center. Eur J Pediatr. 2019;178(4):505–513. doi:10.1007/s00431-019-03323-w

8. Pantel A, Richaud-Morel B, Cazaban M, Bouziges N, Sotto A, Lavigne JP. Environmental persistence of OXA-48–producing Klebsiella pneumoniae in a French intensive care unit. Am J Infect Control. 2016;44(3):366-368. doi:10.1016/j.ajic.2015.09.021

9. van der Mee-Marquet N, Girard S, Lagarrigue F, et al. Multiresistant Enterobacter cloacae outbreak in an intensive care unit associated with therapeutic beds. Crit Care. 2006;10(1):405. doi:10.1186/cc4835