MICROBIAL LOAD OF HOSPITAL BEDS, INSTRUMENTS, LABORATORY BENCHES AND LABOUR ROOM IN IJEBU-NORTH LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF OGUN STATE, NIGERIA

Nosocomial infections are defined as infections resulting from pathogens acquired by patients while in the hospital or other clinical care facilities, these infections appear during hospitalization or after discharge. These infections could also affect the health care staff and visitors to the facility. Nosocomial infections have been a cause of much concern amongst the hospital personnel especially considering the increasing number of hospital related infections as a result of multi drug resistant microbial strains.This study was carried out to determine microbial load of hospital beds, instruments, laboratory benches and labour room in Ijebu-North Local Government Area of Ogun State, Nigeria.A total number of 50 swab samples from foams ofhospital beds (15swabsamples), Laboratory work-benches (5 swab samples) andhospitalequipments (30 swab samples) were collected for their microbial loads. The swab sticks were aseptically used to rub the dried surfaces of Nutrient Agar and Potato Dextrose Agar and streaked using standard technique.The bacteria isolates were examined and identified biochemically using standard bacteriological methods. Fungal isolates were examined by their colonial morphology, colour and staining with Lactophenol Blue dye for microscopic examination.In thisstudy, six bacterial and five fungal isolates were isolated from the samples respectively.The bacteria includes;Staphylococcus aureus 22 (21.4%), Staphylococcusepidermidis9 (8.8%), Streptococcus pneumoniae 10 (9.7%), Pseudomonasaeruginosa 26 (25.2%),Klebsiellapneumoniae 16 (15.5%) and Escherichia coli 20 (19.4%).The fungi isolatedincludes; Candida albicans 25 (39.7%), Aspergillusniger 16(25.4%), Penicillium spp.12 (19%),Aspergillusfumigatus 6 (9.5%) andAspergillusflavus 4 (6.4%).The number and percentage of occurrence of bacterial organisms isolated from hospital equipments (Scissors, Baby Weighing Scale, trolleys, Thermometer, Autoclaves etc.) were: Staphylococcus aureus 8(18.6%), Staphylococcus epidermidis 4(9.3%), Streptococcus pneumoniae 5(11.6%), Psuedomonasaeruginosa 14(32.6%), Klebsiellapneumoniae 4(9.3%) and Escherichia coli 8(18.6%). The total number and percentage of occurrence of fungal in the hospital equipments were: Aspergillusniger 9(28.1%), Aspergillusflavus 3(9.4%), Penicillium spp. 5(15.6%), Candida spp., 13(40.6%), Aspergillusfumigatus 2(6.3%). The total number and percentage of occurrence of bacterial in hospital foams/beds were Staphylococcus aureus 6(25%), Staphylococcus epidermis 2(8.4%), Pseudomonas aeruginosa 5(20.8%), Klebsiellapneumoniae 5(20.8%), Escherichia coli 6(25%). From the foams/beds, the total numbers and percentage of occurrence of fungi were Aspergillusniger 3(21.4%), Aspergillusflavus 1(7.1%), Penicillium spp. 3(21.4%), Candida spp. 5(35.7%), Aspergillusfumigatus 2(14.3%).From the Laboratory work benches: the number and percentage of occurrence of bacterial organisms were Staphylococcus aureus 8(21.6%), Staphylococcus epidermidis 3(8.1%), Streptococcus pneumoniae 5(13.6%), Pseudomonas aeruginosa 7(18.9%), Klebsiella pneumonia 8(21.6%), Escherichia coli 6(16.2%). The total numbers and percentage of occurrence of fungi were Aspergillusniger 4(23.5%), Aspergilusflavus 1(5.9%), Penicillium spp. 4(23.5%), Candida spp. 7(41.3%), Aspergillusfumigatus 1(5.9%).The results of the hospital equipments, beds and laboratory work bench samples, demonstrated that the hospital environment is a potential reservoir of pathogenic bacteria and fungi.Government should enlighten and organize seminar for hospital management and patient of proper way of handling hospital equipment and disinfection of reusable equipment in the hospital. Hospital management should take care of their waste and be watchful on patients in order to reduce the spread of bacterial and fungal in the hospital.

Keywords: Microbial load, Hospital equipments, Laboratory benches, Hospital management.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Chapter One

Introduction

1.1       Background to the Study

1.2       Objectives of the Study

1.3       Significance of the Study

Chapter Two: Literature Review

2.1       Microbes on Hospital Surface

2.2       Transmission of Microbes in the Hospital

2.3       Launderable Bed Protection System for Hospital Beds

2.4       The Importance of the Environment and HAI Prevention

2.4.1    Microbial Methods of Hospital Cleanliness

Chapter Three: Materials and Methods

3.1       Study Area

3.2       Sample Size

• Materials and Media Used

3.3.1    Instrument and glass wares

3.3.2    Media Used

3.3.3    Method of Sterilization

3.4       Culture Method

3.4.1    Sample Collection

3.4.2    Isolation and Purification of Bacteria and Fungi

3.5       Biochemical Methods of Identification of Bacterial Isolates

3.5.1    Characterization of Bacterial Isolate

Chapter Four

4.0       Results            (They are in form tables)

Chapter Five

Discussion, Conclusion and Recommendations

5.1       Discussion

5.2       Conclusion

5.3       Recommendations

References

Appendix

LIST OF TABLES

4.1                   Sample distribution/collection

4.2                   Bacterial and Fungal isolates from Hospital Equipments (Scissors,

baby weighing scale, Trolleys, Thermometer, Autoclaves etc.)

4.3                   Bacterial and Fungal isolates from Hospital foams/beds

4.4                   Bacterial and Fungal isolates from Laboratory work benches

4.5                   Total Bacterial and Fungal isolates from the study

4.6                   Morphological and Biochemical characteristics of isolates

LIST OF FIGURE

4.1                   Bar chart showing the distribution of bacteria from Hospital Items Sampled

4.2                   Bar chart showing the distribution of fungal from Hospital Items Sampled