Bacterial colonization of medical equipments: A surveillance study of NICU and PICU instruments

Abstract

Introduction: Health care associated infection in intensive care unit is a challenging issue worldwide. Fomites and inanimate objects/ equipment may be contaminated by various pathogenic microorganisms by the health care worker. Therefore, could be potential risk factor for the critical ill patients of neonatal and pediatric intensive care units (NICUs & PICUs). The present study was carried out to examine the bacterial colonization from equipments of pediatric and neonatal ICUs. Materials and methods: A total of 260 specimens were collected within a period of six months from the instruments/hands and nasal swabs of health care workers using moisten (0.9% w/v physiological saline) sterile cotton swab. Samples were processed according to standard protocol. Result: In the current study, the most prevalent organism on the surface of medical devices of PICU were CoNS (16.66%) and S. aureus (16.66%) while in NICU the most prevalent organism was Klebsiella spp (11.25%) followed by A. baumanni (10%), E.coli (2.5%), CoNS (6.25%), S. aureus (6.25%) and E. faecalis (6.25%). Conclusion: The study highlights the importance of surveillance of risk factors of hospital acquired infection and strategic implantation of preventive measures in critical care units.

Silent threats on surfaces and equipment in the newborn unit of Kenyatta National Hospital in Kenya

“…Among the common sources of these pathogens are inanimate sources such as contaminated equipment and surfaces, which have been directly linked to increased incidence of neonatal infections in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) [7][8][9][10]. Invasive procedures in NICU such as insertion of nasogastric feeding tubes, intubation or catheterization, can create opportunities for bacteria to adhere and form biofilms that can serve as a source of infection for the neonates [1,3,[11][12][13][14][15]. Other medical equipment that can be a source of infections among neonates include oxygen masks, endotracheal tubes, intravenous cannulas, and suction catheters [14].…”

“…Enterobacteriaceae and Staphylococcus spp. are common in equipment that get into direct contact with infant skin or mucus membranes [11,15,16,24]. Medical equipment such as catheter, ventilators, and endoscopes are commonly colonized with multi-drug oranisms such as methicilin-resitant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), vancomycin-resistant enterococcus (VRE), and extended spectrum betalactams (ESBLs).…”