Abstract:

Purpose: This study was done to analyze the frequency, extent and methods of microbiological surveillance of OT, efficiency, microbicidal activity of product X, advantages of special air filters, air quality , rate and factors contributing to SSI .

Materials & methods: Surveillance was done in two conventional OTs (GH) and two with special air filters(private) by settle plate, air sampler and surface swab for aerobe & anaerobe, from day 1- 6 in the morning & evening , after formalin and product X. Microbicidal activity of product X was tested against common isolates.

Results: By settle plate or air sampler, the cfu were less with product X compared to formalin, the M- cfu were less than E- cfu and the cfu in the private OTs were less compared to GH. There was no gradual decrease or increase of cfu from day 1 to 6.Organisms isolated were Acinetobacter baumanii, CoNS, MSSA and micrococci in GH, aerobic spore forming bacilli and micrococci in private. RCM was negative for Clostridium tetani in all four OTs. SSI was 14% in GH and Nil in private. Microbicidal activity of product X was good at 1% concentration within 10 mts.

Conclusion: Air sampler measures the microbial burden more accurately.. Settle plate is a direct indicator of SSI risk. Clostridium tetani as an indicator of air quality may be limited to special situations only.. Peptone water swabs indicate the seriousness of the contaminant. Newer less toxic disinfectants are alternative to formalin. Correlation between microbial burden and SSI by any method is not absolute.

Keywords: OT, surveillance, method, disinfectant, SSI