[The sampling of pathological specimens for the diagnosis of infections in different clinical units]

The probes sampled from patients, in hospital environment, sterility control departments, air microflora, medical personnel, were tested for the global number of germs and for the positivity registered. Between 1983 and 1994, 12,785 samples for microbiological examination were sampled, aiming to give emphasis to the nosocomial from units like: internal medicine and cardiology; surgery and intensive care; neonatology and pediatrics; obstetrics and gynecology. 7,430 samples were microbiologically positive, proving the potential circulation of facultatively aerobic and aerobic-anaerobic bacterial populations. Our investigations aimed to know more about the microbial structure inside the chosen medical units. The positivity of the samples differed widely from one unit to another, and was partially influenced by the number of the accomplished investigations. The selection of the different medical services was governed by the idea of knowing that the hospitalised patients have a much higher risk of exposure to nosocomial infections, than the patients from other medical services with beds.