Bacterial Colonization of Intensive Care Unit Environment and Healthcare Workers in A Tertiary Care Hospital in Kolar Region, India

Abstract

Direct shedding of microbes by patients and health care workers results in contamination of Intensive care unit environment. Intensive care unit acquired infections due to microbial contamination is a major concern because the patient’s immunity is already compromised. To determine the rate of bacterial contamination on environmental surfaces of Intensive care unit and health care workers and to determine the antibiogram of the isolates. Air samples and swabs from healthcare workers, their accessories, surrounding environmental surfaces were collected randomly over a period of 2 months in Adult Intensive care units. Bacterial isolates were identified by standard microbiological techniques. Antibiotic sensitivity testing was performed by Kirby Bauer disc diffusion method and data analyzed by Statistical Product and Service Solutions 22 version software. A total of 208 samples were randomly collected over 2 months, of which 56 samples yielded positive bacterial growth. Of 56 growth, 12 isolates were detected from air sampling method and 44 isolates from swabs. Among 44 isolates identified from swabs, 10 were isolated from healthcare workers, 4 from health care worker’s accessories and 30 from environmental surfaces. Six different bacterial isolates were identified, Coagulase Negative Staphylococcus (24) and Micrococcus (15) were the major isolates followed by Non fermenters (6), Staphylococcus aureus(4), Bacillus species(4) and diphtheroids (3) The antimicrobial sensitivity pattern of these bacterial isolates were sensitive to commonly used antibacterial agents. Study results showed Intensive care unit staff and environmental surfaces as probable sources of bacterial contamination. Study highlights the importance of cleaning and disinfection process and educate the health care workers about the possible sources of infections within Intensive care unit.

Bacterial Profile and Their Antimicrobial Susceptibility Pattern of Isolates Recovered from Intensive Care Unit Environments at Wachemo University Nigist Ellen Mohammed Memorial Comprehensive Specialized Hospital, Southern Ethiopia

“…Similarly, in this study, the highest bacterial contaminate and multibacterial isolates were identifed from patient beds, sphygmomanometer, stethoscope, body incubator, and others. Tis is in agreement with other studies conducted in Iran [3], Mekelle, Ethiopia [27], and Bahir Dar city [20]. Also, from the current study, 64.8% of health care providers' hands were contaminated with bacteria.…”

“…Providing updated information through guidelines for prescribing antibiotics becomes a necessity. Our results were comparable with those of the studies conducted elsewhere such as from Zimbabwe [4] (ampicillin 80% to 84.6%), India [28] (cotrimoxazole 83.3% and ceftazidime 83.3%), India [3] (cefoxitin 57% to 100%), and Windhoek, Namibia [35] and Mekelle (ampicillin 82%) [27]. In this study, ciprofoxacin (48%) and gentamycin (76%) were the most efective antibiotics for all Gram-negative isolates, and this fnding is similar to that of the study conducted in Mekelle (ciprofoxacillin 87% and gentamicin 91.4%) [33] but is sensitive to cefoxitin (78%) in Hiwot Fana hospital [41].…”

“…Also, from the current study, 64.8% of health care providers' hands were contaminated with bacteria. Our result relatively agreed with that of other reports where bacterial contamination was found to be 64.5% in Iran [3]. It contrasts with current study, and lower bacterial contaminations were observed in India 17.8% [28] and Namibia 5% of HCP [30].…”

“…It results in mortality, morbidity, and expenses, as well as an increase in the hospital stay [2]. Infections acquired in intensive care units (ICUs) are a serious health hazard in the world with high morbidity and mortality rates, especially due to crosstransmission of germs [3].…”

Microbial Profile of Tourniquets Used in Phlebotomy at a Rural Tertiary Care Teaching Hospital

“…In our study, Gram-positive bacteria preponderantly comprised CoNS (9, 22.5%) followed by Micrococcus (6, 15%), S. aureus (5, 12.5%), diphtheroid (5, 12.5%), Enterococcus (3, 7.5%), and Bacillus (3, 7.5%). This may be due to the improved endurance of Gram-positive bacteria in opposition to Gram-negative bacteria [ 14 ].…”