Environmental Survey on Microbial Contamination in Two Public Hospitals in Qazvin

Subject Areas : Journal of Chemical Health Risks

Mohadeseh Choubdar ¹ , Shagahyegh Mousavi ² , Zohreh Naghdali ³ , Faezeh Mohammadi ⁴ , Milad Mousazadeh ⁵ , Ahmad Nikpey ⁶

1 - MSc in Occupational Health Engineering, School of Health, Qazvin University of Medical Sciences, Qazvin, Iran.
2 - Department of Food Hygiene and Safety, School of Health, Qazvin University of Medical Sciences, Qazvin, Iran
3 - Department of Environmental Health Engineering, School of Health, Qazvin University of Medical Sciences, Qazvin, Iran
4 - Assistant Professor, Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, School of Medicine, Qazvin University of Medical Sciences, Qazvin, Iran.
5 - Department of Environmental Health Engineering, School of Health, Qazvin University of Medical Sciences, Qazvin, Iran
6 - Associate Professor, Department of Occupational Health, School of Health, Qazvin University of Medical Sciences, Qazvin, Iran.

Received: 2020-04-19 Accepted : 2022-03-13 Published : 2024-03-01

Keywords: air pollution, Fungi, Environmental pollutants, Cross Infection, INDOOR,

Abstract :

The presence of microorganisms in healthcare settings environments affected the health of patients and staffs. Air and surfaces contaminated with pathogens are important sources of hospital infections. To evaluate environmental microbial contamination in two hospitals of Qazvin, Iran. This descriptive analytical study has been accomplished in 6 wards of two hospitals in winter 2017.Bioaerosols were assayed by a single-stage Anderson impactor, at an airflow rate of 28.3 L min^-1, period of 2-5 min into TSA, SDA and MSA medium. Surface samplings were performed by using sterile swabs impregnated with TSB medium. The EU-GMP standard was used as permissible limit. Data has been analyzed by SPSS20 software and parametric statistic tests. The maximum fungal prevalence was related to Cladosporium and yeast. The ICU ward of the hospital (A) was the most polluted area with 479.3 CFU/m³. Maximum microbial contamination was observed on ICU food tables (A). Our findings confirm the significant relationship between concentration of microbial air and the surfaces statistically. Surface contamination can be resulted from airborne transmission in hospital; hence, in addition to surface disinfection and decontamination, it is appropriate to purify air by filtration system in order to improve indoor air quality.

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