Microbial contamination in the operating theatre: a study in a hospital in Baghdad

Abstract

Contamination of the operating theatre is a major cause of nosocomial infection. This study aimed to evaluate the incidence of bacterial contamination of operating theatres in Al Imam Ali Hospital in Baghdad, and the source of contamination. From 1216 swabs collected from surfaces, equipment and antiseptic solutions from different operating theatres in 2001 and 2002, the rates of positive cultures were 3.7% in 2001 and 4.0% in 2002. Staphylococcus epidermidis was the most common isolate in 2001 followed by Pseudomonas aeruginosa, whereas in 2002 coliform bacteria were the highest, followed by P. aeruginosa. No clear pattern of isolates was found in different types of operating theatres, although coliforms and P. aeruginosa were mostly found in the delivery theatre. Contamination microbienne dans les salles d'opération : étude dans un hôpital de Bagdad RÉSUMÉ La contamination de la salle d'opération est une cause majeure d'infection nosocomiale. Cette étude visait à évaluer l'incidence de la contamination bactérienne des salles d'opération à l'hôpital Al Imam Ali de Bagdad, ainsi que la source de la contamination. Sur 1 216 prélèvements recueillis sur les surfaces, matériel et solutions antiseptiques de différentes salles d'opération en 2001 et 2002, le taux de cultures positives était de 3,7 % en 2001 et de 4,0 % en 2002. Staphylococcus epidermidis était l'isolat le plus fréquent en 2001, suivi de Pseudomonas aeruginosa, alors qu'en 2002, les colibacilles étaient les plus répandus, suivis de P. aeruginosa. Aucune caractéristique évidente n'a été observée concernant les isolats dans les différents types de salle d'opération, même si les colibacilles et P. aeruginosa étaient surtout présents dans la salle d'accouchement.

Prevalence of bacterial contamination in general operating theaters in selected hospitals in the Gaza Strip, Palestine

“…The prevalence (24.7%) of bacterial contamination revealed by this study is higher than a published study that was conducted in Iraq, where the authors found that in 1216 swabs, the percentage of samples that were positive for bacteria was 3.7% in 2001 and 4.0% in 2002 [2]; similar results were obtained in studies conducted in other countries [4,15,16]. However, the prevalence of bacterial contamination reported in this study is lower than the prevalence reported in a study conducted in Bangladesh (37.4%) [17].…”

“…Third, the study population was relatively small (243 samples). In a study similar to ours using only 91 samples, 37.4% of the samples were positive for contamination, whereas in a study using 1216 samples, only 4% of the samples were positive [2,17].…”

“…The operating theater is a complex environment that poses a high risk of infection for patients and health care workers who may easily contract diseases because of their long exposures to various risks, including chemical, physical and biological factors [1]. The contamination of operating theaters is considered among the most common life-threatening sources of nosocomial infections, particularly in patients undergoing transplant surgery, open-heart surgery, cystoscopy and transurethral resection of tumor masses [2].…”

Reducing bacterial contamination in an Orthopedic Theatre ventilated by natural ventilation, in a Developing Country

“…In these settings it is important to remember that the air flow into theatre is not the only potential source of contamination. Other important sources of infection are; poorly decontaminated equipment, the theatre built environment, theatre utilities [3] and inappropriate staff behavior [4]. Skin cells are constantly shed from theatre personnel.…”

Indoor Airborne Microbial Burden of Operating Theatres in a Tertiary Hospital in South-Western Nigeria

“…Airborne microbial contamination of the indoor air environment of operating theatres (OT) is one of the risk factors for the development of post-surgical Infections (PSI) and had contributed to increased prevalence of nosocomial infections (NIs) (Al-Benna, 2012;Fleischer et al, 2005;Ensayel et al, 2009;Okon et al, 2012). About 10% of hospital acquired infections result in increased patient mortality, morbidity and length of hospital stay in addition to the overall costs of hospital admissions for post-operative surgery (Chacko et al, 2003;Reddy, 2012),Multiple sources have been previously reported as being associated with the contamination of the OT, including drainage of the wounds, ventilation systems, transportation of patients and collection bags, surgical team, degree of indoor traffic, theatre gown, foot wares, gloves, use of inadequately sterilized equipment and grossly contaminated surfaces (Okon et al, 2012;Fleischer et al, …”