Bacteriological surveillance of operation theaters and other specialized care units of community hospitals across Kashmir valley, India

Background: Bacterial contamination in operation theatres (OT’s) and other specialized care units is a major factor for nosocomial infection. Surgical Site Infection (SSI) contributes to 33.1% of nosocomial infection. Microbial contamination of OT’s is a major risk factor for surgical site infection. Aim of study is to identify bacterial colonization of indoor air of OT’s, labor rooms (LR’s) and specialized new born care units (SNCU’s). Material & methods: Air sampling of 29 (OT’s), 9 (LR’s) and 5 (SNCU’s) was done by settle plate method. Surfaces samples were taken by wet swabs from different sites and equipments in nutrients broth. Samples were then transported to laboratory and processed according to standard operation procedures. Results: Total of 184 swabs were taken, out of which 134 (72.82%) were found to be positive for bacterial growth. A total of 43 air samples were taken out of which 41 were found to be positive for bacterial contamination. Least CFU/m3 was found in ophthalmology OT (4.4-10 CFU/m3) and highest in gynecology and obstetrics OT (4.4-268.7 CFU/m3. Conclusion: Surfaces and air in various health facilities of studied hospitals were found contaminated with different types of bacteria including potential pathogens that pose a great risk to patients. Hygiene and sanitation need to be improved in these hospitals to control nosocomial infection and for better management of patients.