Abstract :
Background: Infection control by environmental monitoring plays a significant role in reducing the
morbidity and mortality of patients who are victims of hospital associated infections. Many developing
countries have reported high postoperative infection rate in their hospital, so regular monitoring of
pathogens in the air sample is one of the preventive measure for post-operative infections. This study
was carried out with an interest to look for the organisms and the frequency of isolation in air sample and
surface swabs before and after fumigation.
Materials and Methods: Study was conducted over a period of 12 months from August 2018 to August
2019. Total of 6 OT, two staff room, one washing room were included for settle plate and surface swab
method of monitoring for air contaminants and pathogens.
Results: Total of 252 settle plate samples were collected over a period of 12 months before and after
fumigation, bacillus was major (59%) contaminant followed by pathogens like Pseudomonas (14%), CONS
(10%), Klebsiella (7%), E.coli (5%), Micrococci (3%) and Staphylococcus.aureus (2%). Surface swab
method- Fungus isolated from AC filter were Aspergillus (78%), Mucor (14%), Rhizopus (6%), Pencillin
(2%). Swabs collected from OTs were tested for growth of Clostridium.tetani. Growth was observed in the
month of October, February and May. Advised fumigation and through cleaning of OTs with high level
disinfectant whenever grown was observed before and after fumigation, results found to be satisfactory and
advised to continue with procedures when growth found
in RCMB.
Conclusion: Regular monitoring of pathogens in the air is one of the preventive measures for postoperative
infection. Settle plate method and surface swab method is useful for observing the aerobic and
anaerobic growth in operation theaters.
Keyword :
CONS-Coagulase negative Staphylococci, OT-Operation Theater, AC- Air Conditioner, CT- Clostridium.tetani, RCMB-Robertson’s Cooked Meat, Broth.