Abstract
Background Equipment and hospital surfaces constitute a microbial reservoir that can contaminate hospital users and thus create an infectious risk. The aim of this work, which was carried out for the first time at a hospital in Meknes (regional hospital in the center of Morocco), is to evaluate the microbiological quality of surfaces and equipment in three potential risk areas (burn unit, operating room, and sterilization service). Methods This study was carried out over a period of 4 months (February–May 2017). A total of 60 samples were taken by swabbing according to the standard (ISO/DIS 14698-1 (2004)) in an environment of dry area and equipment after biocleaning. Isolation and identification were performed according to conventional bacteriological methods and by microscopic observation for fungi. Results The study showed that 40% of surface samples were contaminated after biocleaning. The burn unit recorded a percentage of 70% contamination (p value <0.001), 13% for the sterilization service, and 7% for the operating room. 89% of the isolates were identified as Gram-positive bacteria against 11% for fungi (p value <0.001). Bacterial identification showed coagulase-negative staphylococci (32%), Bacillus spp. (16%), Corynebacterium (8%), and oxidase-negative Gram-positive bacillus (40%) while fungal identification showed Aspergillus niger (n = 2) and Aspergillus nidulans (n = 1). Conclusion To control the infectious risk related to equipment and hospital surfaces, it would be necessary to evaluate the disinfection protocol applied in these units.
Highlights
Healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) represent a serious public health problem as they lead to increased mortality, morbidity, and costs for patients, their families, and health systems [1, 2]
In the city of Meknes, a study conducted in 2013 at Mohammed V Hospital revealed that the prevalence of HAI was 9.4% [7]. e microorganisms responsible for HAI were Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Staphylococcus aureus, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa [1, 6]. e services most affected by HAI were the services of surgery, medicine, pediatrics, intensive care, obstetric gynecology, burns unit, and trauma service [7,8,9]. e factors responsible for HAI are patients, medical practices, and hospital environment [10]. e hospital environment is a reservoir of pathogens from patients or the hands of caregivers [11] or the environment
The aim of our study was (i) to estimate bacterial contamination of medical devices and hospital surfaces and (ii) to examine the presence of specific nosocomial pathogens in three services with potential risk for patients and care staff. is investigation was conducted in a hospital with a regional vocation in Meknes. e results of this study will help the nosocomial infection control committee (NICC) to make a risk analysis strategy to control the risk related to the hospital surface
Summary
Healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) represent a serious public health problem as they lead to increased mortality, morbidity, and costs for patients, their families, and health systems [1, 2]. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), HAIs affect 5 to 10% of patients in developed countries [3]. In the city of Meknes, a study conducted in 2013 at Mohammed V Hospital revealed that the prevalence of HAI was 9.4% [7]. E factors responsible for HAI are patients (age and immune status), medical practices, and hospital environment (air, surfaces, and water) [10]. E aim of this work, which was carried out for the first time at a hospital in Meknes (regional hospital in the center of Morocco), is to evaluate the microbiological quality of surfaces and equipment in three potential risk areas (burn unit, operating room, and sterilization service). To control the infectious risk related to equipment and hospital surfaces, it would be necessary to evaluate the disinfection protocol applied in these units
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