The Presence of Microbial Air Contaminants in the Operating Theatre at a Teaching Hospital in East Coast Malaysia

Abstract

Aim: The aim of this study is to determine the presence of microbial air contaminants in the operating theatre at a teaching hospital. Objective: Airborne microbial level in operation theatre is one of the significant risks in hospital as it can increase the surgical site infection and nosocomial infections. Background: Duo SAS Super 360 Air Sampler was used to collect the airborne samples in triplicate each for nutrient and MacConkey agar at eight operation rooms and two corridors for morning and evening sessions. Sampling was conducted for three months and repeated every two months. Microbiological culture, gram staining and biochemical tests such as catalase test, oxidase test, coagulase test, Triple Sugar Iron Agar test, urease test, citrate test, Sulfide, Indole, Motility test, Methyl Red Voges-Proskauer test, disc diffusion test, and Albert’s stain were performed on the pure isolated culture. Methods: Sampling was conducted for three months and repeated every two months. Microbiological culture, gram staining and biochemical tests such as catalase test, oxidase test, coagulase test, Triple Sugar Iron Agar test, urease test, citrate test, Sulfide, Indole, Motility test, Methyl Red Voges- Proskauer test, disc diffusion test, and Albert’s stain were performed on the pure isolated culture. Bacteria that were present in the operation rooms were Bacillus spp., Micrococcus spp. and Staphylococcus spp. while Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Acinetobacter baumannii were absent. The bacteria identified in the operation theater may also cause surgical site infections and nosocomial infections to the patients, although the microbial contamination in the air of the operation theatre is low. Results: The bacteria identified in the operation theater may also cause surgical site infections and nosocomial infections to the patients, although the microbial contamination in the air of the operation theatre is low. Conclusion: Strengthening surveillance on the hygienic condition of the operation theatre and routine sampling is strongly recommended to control all possible sources and types of infection.