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Bacterial contamination of floors and other surfaces in operating rooms: a five-year survey
Abstract:
Bacterial contamination of floors and other surfaces in the operating suite has been investigated by contact impression plates during the past five years. Colony counts of the floors of operating rooms, cleaned with disinfectant, were 3.3 c.f.u./10 cm2; on the floors of semi-clean and dirty areas, cleaned with detergent, colony counts were 44.8 and 71.4 c.f.u./10 cm2 respectively. The highest colony counts of 487.4 c.f.u./10 cm2 were found in the dressing rooms, the floors of which were covered with carpets, cleaned with a vacuum cleaner. Mean bacterial numbers on surfaces of various equipment in operating rooms, cleaned with disinfectant, were 2.8 c.f.u./10 cm2. Bacterial numbers on surfaces decreased markedly from 253.2 to 11.9 c.f.u./10 cm2 following the use of disinfectant. Bacterial species found from various surfaces were mainly coagulase-negative staphylococci, derived from human beings. In the light of these findings the regular use of disinfectant for cleaning of the floors and other surfaces in operating rooms is advisable.
Insights
Disinfectant use significantly reduces bacterial contamination on operating room surfaces. Regular disinfection of floors and equipment is crucial for maintaining a sterile surgical environment and preventing infections.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Hospital Infection Control
- Environmental Hygiene
Background:
- Bacterial contamination of operating suite surfaces poses a risk to patient safety.
- Previous cleaning methods may not adequately control microbial load.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess bacterial contamination levels on various surfaces within the operating suite.
- To evaluate the efficacy of disinfectants and detergents in reducing bacterial counts.
Main Methods:
- Contact impression plates were used over five years to quantify bacterial colony counts.
- Surfaces included operating room floors, semi-clean/dirty areas, dressing rooms (carpeted), and equipment.
- Different cleaning agents (disinfectant, detergent, vacuum cleaner) were assessed.
Main Results:
- Operating room floors cleaned with disinfectant had low counts (3.3 c.f.u./10 cm2).
- Semi-clean and dirty areas, and carpeted dressing rooms showed significantly higher counts.
- Disinfectant use markedly reduced bacterial numbers on equipment surfaces (253.2 to 11.9 c.f.u./10 cm2).
- Coagulase-negative staphylococci were the predominant bacteria found.
Conclusions:
- Regular use of disinfectant is highly effective in reducing bacterial contamination on operating room surfaces.
- Carpeted floors and less stringent cleaning protocols correlate with higher bacterial loads.
- Disinfection is recommended for maintaining a sterile environment in operating suites.