ARE THE DISINFECTANTS USED IN HOSPITALS ALSO EFFECTIVE ON BACTERIA THAT CAUSE NOSOCOMIAL INFECTIONS?: A UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL INVESTIGATION

Abstract

Objective: Determining the disinfectant activity regularly will result in proper disinfection. In our study, it was aimed to determine the efficacy, effective concentrations and durations of some disinfectants used in Trakya University Hospital against nosocomial bacteria isolated from the same center. Material and Method: MRSA, VRE, Klebsiella pneumoniae and Acinetobacter baumannii isolates and 10 different disinfectants supplied from the same center were included in the study. Susceptibility tests and Qualitative Suspension Test were applied through the guidelines of CLSI M100-S25 and TS/EN/1040:2005 (formerly TS/EN/1040:1999), respectively. Qualitative Suspension Test was modified by using D/E Neutralizing Broth instead of adding a neutralizing agent. Result and Discussion: As a result, it was determined that all isolates were susceptible in the application conditions. However, peracetic acid, sodium dichloroisocyanurate, non-ionic active agent and sodium hypochlorite containing disinfectants being used in the hospital were not effective against some strains isolated from the hospital. Even the resistance of a single isolate to the application conditions of a disinfectant may lead to selection and proliferation of the strains and this may cause hospital infections. Our results might provide a reference to indicate the importance of selecting appropriate disinfectants and appropriate conditions for cleaning and disinfection in hospitals.