STUDY OF BACTERIAL PATHOGENS ON HIGH TOUCH SURFACES AND THEIR ANTIMICROBIAL SUSCEPTIBILITY PATTERN IN A TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL

Background: The hospital environment surfaces plays an important role in causing Hospital acquired infections. This study conducted to assess the surface contamination in four different wards at Apollo General Hospital, Hyderabad which are frequently touched by health care professionals. Hence we conducted a study to assess the bacterial pathogens on frequently touched areas in the hospital and to determine antibiotic susceptibility of these pathogens

Materials and methods: A Cross-sectional study was conducted in Apollo General Hospital from April to May 2024. A total of 48 swabs collected from surfaces of floor, bed, wall, doorhandles, stethoscope, thermometer, IV stand, examination table, sink tap, bed side trolley and drug trolley from Medicine, OBG, Surgery and Paediatric wards using sterile moist swabs. Gram staining and culture on blood agar and MacConkey agar was done. Identification of the isolates was done as per standard protocol. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was done as per CLSI guidelines

Results: Out of the 48 samples processed, 52% showed bacterial growth. CoNS (68%) was the predominant isolate followed by Staphylococcus (16%), Acinetobacter spp (4%) and Proteus (4%). The other isolates were Enterococcus (4%) andBurkholderia (4%). Majority of the CoNS were isolated from floor, bed and wall. Most of the isolates were sensitive to ciprofloxacin and gentamicin and resistant to penicillin

Conclusion: These results in our study suggests that there should be increased emphasis on frequent cleaning and disinfection of frequently touched surfaces in hospital to reduce bacterial contamination.