Bacterial contamination in the operating room at Hue Central Hospital, 2nd branch

ABSTRACT Objectives: This study aims to evaluate the microbial contamination level and identify bacterial colonization of the operating room in the hospital. Methods: Three sampling procedures were used in this study, which includes swabbing, air sampler and contact agar plate. Collected samples from 8 ORs were transported and microbiologically processed using standard procedures. Bacteria were identified by morphological, biochemical tests and Vitek 2 Compact system. Microbiological criteria were based on recommendation of the Ministry of Health. Results: The incidence of positive cultures was 285/600 (47.50%). The most common isolates were Gram - positive bacteria (98.25%) while low rate of Gram - negative bacteria (1.75%) was surveyed with Pseudomonas sp. (0.7%) and Enterobacter cloacae (1.05%). The water used for surgical hand washing illustrated the existence of Staphylococcus blanc (60%) and each of Pseudomonas sp. and Enterobacter cloacae (20%). Air contamination were observed with Bacillus sp. (46.90%) and Staphylococcus blanc (53.10%). Environmental surfaces were detected 7 species, of which 4 threaten strains including Staphylococcus aureus accounted for 5.55%, followed by Streptococcus β - hemolytic (0.79%), Pseudomonas sp. (0.79%) and Enterobacter cloacae (1.59%). Surgeons’s hand samples were isolated with Bacillus sp. (14.55%) and Staphylococcus blanc (1.81%). The rate samples of ORs surfaces reaching level A and B accounted for 91.49% and 8.51% while none of the samples approach level C and level D. The rate of qualified samples in terms of air, water for surgical hand washing, surfaces of medical instruments and surgeons’ hands was remarkably high with 87.59%, 98.44%, 95.24% and 100%, respectively. Conclusion: Our study showed various bacteria isolated, of which pathogenic species occupied very low percentage. Especially, the rate of samples in the study that meet microbiological standards was remarkably high according to Ministry of Health recommendation.