The bactericidal mats in the pediatric intensive care unit

Area of Science:

• Infection Control
• Microbiology
• Pediatric Intensive Care

Background:

• Hospital-acquired infections are a significant concern in pediatric intensive care units (ICUs).
• Bactericidal mats are sometimes used as a measure to reduce microbial contamination.
• The efficacy of dry adhesive bactericidal mats in reducing bacterial load in ICUs has not been well-established.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the effectiveness of S-Entry dry adhesive bactericidal mats in reducing bacterial contamination in a pediatric ICU.
• To determine if the use of these mats impacts bacterial levels on floors and shoe soles.
• To assess the role of floor and shoe sole bacterial flora in hospital infections within the ICU.

Main Methods:

• A bacteriological study was conducted in a pediatric ICU over a three-month period (April-June 1981).
• Floor and shoe sole samples were collected in parallel during periods with and without the use of S-Entry bactericidal mats.
• Colony-forming units (CFUs) were quantified to assess bacterial load.

Main Results:

• Statistical analysis revealed no significant difference in the number of CFUs between periods with and without bactericidal mats.
• Bacterial contamination levels on floors and shoe soles remained comparable regardless of mat usage.
• The study found no correlation between floor/shoe sole bacterial flora and the incidence of hospital infections in the ICU.

Conclusions:

• Under the operational conditions of a pediatric ICU, S-Entry dry adhesive bactericidal mats did not demonstrate an expected role in reducing bacterial contamination.
• The mats were ineffective in significantly altering the microbial load on floors or shoe soles.
• The bacterial flora on floors and shoe soles did not appear to influence the rate of hospital infections in this ICU setting.