अमूर्त

Fomites: Possible vehicle of nosocomial infections.

Olise CC

Nosocomial infections (NI) are infections contracted during the cause of hospital treatments, which are secondary to the patients’ original condition. A retrospective survey of nosocomial infection rates was carried out, using patients’ medical files and diagnosis index. Surfaces of non-invasive fomites which frequently come in contact with patients were swabbed; drip stands, door knobs, fan switches, bed rails, bed linens, pillow cases, light-plug-ins, and sink knobs for microbial contamination. Microbes isolated from the 225 swabs samples were identified using standard microbiological methods. An overall prevalence of 11.9% nosocomial infections was recorded. The Intensive Care Unit (37.5%) and Children ward (7.6%) recorded the highest and lowest prevalence respectively. Prevalence of nosocomial infections in the sampled wards was significantly different at (P>0.05). Door knobs (22.76%) recorded the highest microbial contamination; while light-plug-ins (4.88%) and pillow case (4.88%) were the least contaminated fomites. The highest bacterial colony count of 9.6 × 106 cfu/ml which is higher than the infectious dose of 106 cfu/ml was recorded on the door knob of Female surgical ward while pillow case shows insignificant count across most wards. Surface contamination of fomites within healthcare setting is significant issue of concern in public health thus the need to implement strict policy to reduce the rate of surface bio-contamination of hospital environment.