Evaluation of the Levels and Quality of Microbial Contamination in Medical Emergency Departments in Comparison to Other Workplaces

• Published in: Polish journal of microbiology Vol. 65; no. 4; pp. 465 - 469
• Main Authors: Bielawska-Drózd, Agata, Wlizło-Skowronek, Bożena, Cieślik, Piotr, Winnicka, Izabela, Skopińska-Różewska, Ewa, Kubiak, Leszek, Żakowska, Dorota, Brewczyńska, Aleksandra, Kocik, Janusz
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Poland Exeley Inc 01.12.2016; De Gruyter Poland; Sciendo
• Subjects: Air sampling; Analysis; Anti-Bacterial Agents - pharmacology; antimicrobial resistance; Bacteria; Bacteria - classification; Bacteria - drug effects; Bacteria - isolation & purification; Biological effects; Contamination; Corridors; Drug Resistance, Bacterial; Emergency medical care; Emergency medical services; Emergency Service, Hospital; Environmental Microbiology; Fomites; harmful biological agents; Hospital Emergency Department; Hospital emergency services; Hospitals; Humans; Infection Control; Keyboards; Low level; Medical equipment; Medical personnel; Microbial contamination; Microbial drug resistance; microbiological monitoring surface and air samples; Microorganisms; Nosocomial infections; Pathogens; Streptococcus infections; Ventilation; Workplace; Workplaces; Poland; France; United States > US
• ISSN: 1733-1331; 2544-4646
• DOI: 10.5604/17331331.1227673

Work in Hospital Emergency Departments (HEDs) exposes both the emergency ward staff and patients to infectious and in other way harmful biological agents. The results of this study shows the presence of pathogenic bacteria isolated by three different methods. It revealed 9.8% of pathogens detected by imprint method, 10.5% of pathogens by swabbing method, 17.6% and 22% in HEDs corridors and rooms, respectively, by air sampling method. In control workplaces (offices) pathogenic bacteria reached the level of 6.5% and 14.7% by imprint method and swabbing, respectively. The relatively low level of contamination by bacteria in HEDs may depend on the effectiveness of Standard Protective Precautions in the studied hospitals.