| Author: | Shum, Ho-yi, Connie |
| Title: | Bacterial contamination of six high-contact items in dirty operating theatres |
| Degree: | M.Sc. |
| Year: | 2011 |
| Subject: | Nosocomial infections -- Prevention. Hospital buildings -- Sanitation. Operating rooms -- Sanitation. Hong Kong Polytechnic University -- Dissertations |
| Department: | Faculty of Health and Social Sciences |
| Pages: | xiv, 110 leaves : ill. (some col.) ; 30 cm. |
| Language: | English |
| Abstract: | Background: Nosocomial infections are an important cause of hospital morbidity and mortality creating increased medical costs. Exogenous environmental infections are considered to be one important transmission route. Within operating theatres, poor environmental contamination can increase the incidence of nosocomial infection. Patients have a high probability of being contaminated during an operation because of rapid patient-care associated with frequent contact with potential sources of bacterial transmission. Therefore, it is important to evaluate the role of the environment regarding infections to propose strategies that reduce contamination and dissemination by pathogens. Aim: The purpose of this study is to explore the level of bacterial contamination from six of the high-contact non-critical items and their distribution in operating theatres within different surgical periods. Methodology: In this pilot study, 600 quota-based sterile swab samples were collected from handset controls, control buttons of the anesthesia machines, jelly pads, computer keyboards, door handles and suction containers of five operating theatres at Queen Elizabeth Hospital from 2010 to 2011. Quantitative and qualitative bacteriological sampling was conducted during pre-operation and post-operation. Result: The mean overall total bacterial count of the 600samples was 40.2cfu/ml pre-operation and 82.9cfu/ml post-operation. There was a significant difference in the bacterial counts between pre-operation and post-operation (p<0.05).A total of 88 (13%) were isolated Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus), including 8 (1.3%) isolates of Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and 17 (2.8%) isolates of Extended Spectrum β-Lactamase (ESβL) negative Escherichia coli (E. coli). And there was a statistically significant difference in the frequency of ESβL (-) E. coli isolation rate in digestive tract theatres (p<0.05) while there was no difference in both S. aureus and MRSA isolation rates from the five dirty operating theatres (p>0.05). Conclusion: Environmental surfaces may serve as sources of bacteria in an operating theatre and these results may help explain the epidemiology of nosocomial infections due to environmental contamination, and serve to remind the hospital administrators of the need to implement better prevention and control strategies to prevent infection. Further work is required to reassess the level of environmental microbial contamination and to determine whether a link exists between contamination and subsequent patient infection. |
| Rights: | All rights reserved |
| Access: | restricted access |
Files in This Item:
| File | Description | Size | Format | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| b24747944.pdf | For All Users (off-campus access for PolyU Staff & Students only) | 2.08 MB | Adobe PDF | View/Open |
Copyright Undertaking
As a bona fide Library user, I declare that:
- I will abide by the rules and legal ordinances governing copyright regarding the use of the Database.
- I will use the Database for the purpose of my research or private study only and not for circulation or further reproduction or any other purpose.
- I agree to indemnify and hold the University harmless from and against any loss, damage, cost, liability or expenses arising from copyright infringement or unauthorized usage.
By downloading any item(s) listed above, you acknowledge that you have read and understood the copyright undertaking as stated above, and agree to be bound by all of its terms.
Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item:
https://theses.lib.polyu.edu.hk/handle/200/6430