105714Rapid detection of microorganisms to monitor the effectiveness of cleaning products and hygiene regimes in hospitalsClosedStudyInnovate UK**CHALLENGE:** Healthcare-associated infections (HCAIs) pose a serious threat to patients, staff and visitors, and significant cost to the NHS (£1billion/year). Infection prevention and control is therefore a key government/NHS priority and has generated significant public attention over the last decade.Appropriate disinfection of high-touch surfaces and equipment is necessary to reduce the transmission of dangerous pathogens, including _Clostridium difficile_, and antibiotic-resistant organisms such as methicillin-resistant _Staphylococcus aureus_ (MRSA) and Vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE). The Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has encouraged hospitals to develop environmental cleaning and monitoring programmes to optimise the cleaning practices, and ensure quality control and improvement. However, a current lack of standardised methods for monitoring the hospital environment, the comparative effectiveness of disinfectants, application methods and adherence to cleaning protocols, means that no consensus exists around benchmarks for cleanliness.**INNOVATION:** Eluceda is developing a rapid (result in 20-min), cost-effective (£1/test) diagnostic tool with confirmatory microbial identification of critical HCAI pathogens from a surface swab for environmental monitoring, initially targeted at the hospital/healthcare sector. There is no equivalent benchmark product on the market.**PROJECT OBJECTIVES:** Feasibility testing has proven that an electronic sensor can rapidly detect microorganisms that cause the majority of HCAIs. This project aims to develop a proof-of-concept test, reader and electrodes that can detect multiple microorganisms simultaneously:1) Determine the extent of risk that dead bacteria pose to the assay and develop countermeasures;2) Optimise a one-pot polymerase chain reaction (PCR) system to amplify bacterial DNA;3) Design and develop multiplex electrodes;4) Develop a primer ink that holds each selected test DNA in place on the electrodes; and5) Design a reader that can detect multiple signals simultaneously (6 working, one counter and one reference).**IMPACT:** The technology offers a market-disruptive QA test to allow hospitals to routinely monitor cleaning protocols at low cost and with little staff training. Market entry 2022\. Test results will enable immediate actions to be implemented and long-term improvements in cleaning/auditing facilities to reduce the spread of HCAIs and associated healthcare costs.**EXPLOITATION:** Eluceda seeks to establish a JV/licensing deal with a provider of professional disinfectant products to the healthcare/other hygiene critical markets (e.g. Arch UK Biocides, Ecolab, Nationwide Hygiene, Guest Medical, GV Health). These companies are seeking innovative technologies to complement their disinfectant product portfolio in a similar way 3M/Hygiena does with ATP test kits (current benchmark) and would sell test consumables through established sales/distribution channels.