Microbial Load in Septic and Aseptic Procedure Rooms.

Area of Science:

• Infection Control
• Microbiology
• Surgical Safety

Background:

• Established infection control measures have significantly reduced surgical wound infections over the past two decades.
• The necessity of strictly separating septic and aseptic procedure rooms is questioned in light of advancements.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate whether the strict separation of septic and aseptic procedure rooms remains a necessary practice.
• To compare microbial concentrations in operating rooms during septic versus aseptic procedures.

Main Methods:

• An exploratory, prospective observational study was conducted in an operating room without a room ventilating system (RVS).
• Microbial concentration was analyzed using an air sampler and sedimentation plates during 16 septic and 14 aseptic operations.
• Generalized estimation equations (GEE) models were used to compare microbial loads.

Main Results:

• No relevant differences in overall microbial concentration were observed in room air (p = 0.692), sedimentation 1m from the operative field (p = 0.603), or on walls (p = 0.685) between septic and aseptic operations.
• Minor differences in microbial spectra were noted, with specific bacteria like E. coli and E. faecalis found in septic cases, and S. aureus and P. stutzeri in aseptic cases.
• These differences in microbial spectra were observed up to 30 minutes post-procedure.

Conclusions:

• The study's data do not indicate a need for separate septic and aseptic procedure rooms.
• It is crucial to acknowledge that this study was not designed as an equivalence or non-inferiority trial.
• High-level patient safety protocols should only be downgraded with new, compelling evidence.