Microbial Air Monitoring in the Pediatric Burn Ward: Experience at the University Hospital of Mashhad, Iran

Abstract

Background The aim of this study was to investigate the density and type of bacterial and fungal bioaerosols in the air of the pediatric burn ward. Materials and Methods In this cross-sectional study, two active and passive sampling methods were used simultaneously to evaluate the density and type of bacterial and fungal bioaerosols. In 2019, sampling was performed once every six days, according to the sampling guideline developed by the 2019 United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Data were analyzed using SPSS software (version 22.0). Results According to the EU GMP standard, in the active method, bacterial and fungal contaminations in the indoor air of the burn ward were in grades C and D, respectively. According to this standard, in the active method, bacterial and fungal contaminations in the outdoor air of the burn ward were in grade C. According to the EU GMP standard, in the passive method, bacterial and fungal contaminations in the indoor air of the pediatric burn ward were in grade C. According to this standard, in the passive method, bacterial and fungal contaminations in the outdoor air of the burn ward were in grade C. Conclusion Given the importance of preventing infection in patients with burns and preventing deaths caused by infections in these patients, especially in children with burns, it is necessary to pay attention to the role of bioaerosols in developing nosocomial infections in burn patients.