AIR AND SURFACE BACTERIOLOGY IN SELECTED WARDS OF TERTIARY CARE CHARITABLE HOSPITALSHARAD CHAND, C.S. SHASTRY SHIVAKUMAR HIREMATH, JUNO J. JOEL, C.H. KRISHNA BHAT AND UDAY VENKAT MATETIAbstract Hospital environment plays a crucial role in the pattern of hospital-acquired infections (HAIs). HAIs are one of the leading causes of morbidity, financial loss, prolonged hospitalization, and even mortality. The objective of this study is to analyze the bacterial quality of indoor air and floor surface of selected wards of a tertiary care charitable hospital and to assess the deviations from the cleaning procedure. Active and passive sampling methods were used for the bacteriological evaluation of indoor air, and the surface bacteriology was carried out by the swab method. The standard operating procedures (SOPs) were followed during the study. The results of the study shows the satisfactory microbial index in the indoor air of hospital (Casualty 158 CFU/m3, Special ward 158 CFU/m3, General ward 545 CFU/m3 and Laboratory 230 CFU/m3) by settle plate method and satisfactory result by active plate method also (Casualty 146 CFU/m3, Surgery OPD 153 CFU/ m3, General ward 223 CFU/m3 and Laboratory 151 CFU/m3) whereas there was an ineffective reduction of bacterial load (14 CFU) in the floor surface of general medicine wards. Though bacterial load in most of the wards were in the acceptable range, few deviations were identified, and the root causes for the ineffective reduction of bacteria was done by using a fishbone diagram. The appropriate suggestions were given to the hospital infection control committee. |