Survival of some nosocomial infections agents on the surface of different covering materials

Abstract number: p1795

Yazgi  H., Uyanik  M.H., Ertek  M., Aktas  A.E., Igan  H., Ayyildiz  A.

Objectives: 

The nosocomial infections are more serious and dangerous than community acquired infections since they have high rate of morbidity and mortality as well as they increase the cost of therapy. Recently many precautions have been taken to prevent these infections. One of these applications is that covering of the floor of the wards, clinics, intensive care units and operating rooms of the hospitals with vinyl flooring material, which is believed to be cleaned easily and effectively. In this study it was aimed to determine the duration of survive of the Staphylococcus aureus, Enterococcus feacalis, Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, which were most common encountered as nosocomial infection agents, on the surface of flooring materials such as vinyl flooring, ceramic laminated wood and galvanized sheet at room temperature.

Methods: 

Four kinds of flooring materials were prepared approximately in 4–6 cm² coupons and sterilized. Separate bacterial suspensions equal to Mc Farland 1 turbidity were swapped to the surface of each flooring materials by sterile cotton swabs. All contaminated test materials were put in sterile petri dishes with cover and kept at room temperature without subjecting to the direct sunlight. On the third day, culture samples were taken from the surface of each material by sterile cotton swaps soaked with sterile saline and streaked on the blood agar surface. Culturing procedure was repeated every other day until no growth detected. In case of three consequently, negative culture results obtained culturing was ended.

Results: 

Overall results of the study were presented on table 1.

Conclusions: 

Among the four flooring materials, galvanised sheet seemed to be the most unsuitable one for the bacteria to survive long period. In other words this material should be preferred as to laminated wood for covering benches and laboratory tables. As for the flooring of the floors the vinyl flooring material is better than ceramic.