Background. To evaluate microbial contamination in hospitals environments, several methods are available, each one having its limitations. Therefore the choice of system to use is open. Aim. To compare the ability of a dusting cloth pad (DC pad), with two other methods (Rodac contact plate and air sampling) to detect a contamination due to filamentous fungi (FF) in operating rooms (ORs). Methods. 110 sampling campaigns were carried out in ORs of hospitals of three Italian cities: Bari, Rome and Sassari. Surface samples were collected from the upper surface of scialytic lamps: half with two Rodac contact plates and other half was all rubbed with one DC pad and the dust captured was inoculated on a Petri plate. Next to the surgical table 540 liters of air were sampled, using SAS sampler. Air and Rodac plates sampling follow standard methods for detecting fungi. Finding. Overall, 96% (90/94) of the DC pad samples were positive compared with 51% (48/94) of Rodac plates (p<0.0001) and 35% (33/94) of air samples (p<0.0001). The difference persists stratifying by venue, with the exception of Sassari, due to a high percentage of positive samples with all methods. Conclusion. The DC pad improves the ability to detect an environmental contamination of FF.
Evaluation of fungal contamination in operating rooms using a dusting cloth pad: comparison among different sampling methods
MONTAGNA, Maria Teresa;NAPOLI, CHRISTIAN;
2013-01-01
Abstract
Background. To evaluate microbial contamination in hospitals environments, several methods are available, each one having its limitations. Therefore the choice of system to use is open. Aim. To compare the ability of a dusting cloth pad (DC pad), with two other methods (Rodac contact plate and air sampling) to detect a contamination due to filamentous fungi (FF) in operating rooms (ORs). Methods. 110 sampling campaigns were carried out in ORs of hospitals of three Italian cities: Bari, Rome and Sassari. Surface samples were collected from the upper surface of scialytic lamps: half with two Rodac contact plates and other half was all rubbed with one DC pad and the dust captured was inoculated on a Petri plate. Next to the surgical table 540 liters of air were sampled, using SAS sampler. Air and Rodac plates sampling follow standard methods for detecting fungi. Finding. Overall, 96% (90/94) of the DC pad samples were positive compared with 51% (48/94) of Rodac plates (p<0.0001) and 35% (33/94) of air samples (p<0.0001). The difference persists stratifying by venue, with the exception of Sassari, due to a high percentage of positive samples with all methods. Conclusion. The DC pad improves the ability to detect an environmental contamination of FF.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
