The bacterial contamination in the burn unit of Al-Hussain Teaching Hospital at Al-Samawa City, Iraq

Abstract

Background: The main causes of a burn patient’s mortality are microbial infection which is related to burn unit contamination, which represents a significant health problem in the burn ward. Objectives: The aim of this study was to determine the types and microbial contamination degree in eleven different burn wards at AL-Hussain Teaching Hospital in Al-Muthanna Province-Iraq. Materials and Methods: This survey study included 770 samples (burn unit swabs) from June 2019 to march 2021 distributed into 70 swabs for each one of the different sources with missing system 3 for each (Floor of the Burn Ward, Locker of the Burn Ward, Bed of the Burn Ward, Floor in Bathroom of the Burn Ward, Chart of the Burn Ward, Door in Bathroom of the Burn Ward, Shower in Bathroom of the Burn Ward, Wall of the Burn Ward, Wall In Bathroom of the Burn Ward, Gauze of the Burn Ward, and Surgical Instruments of the Burn Ward). Results: The data of samples cultivation, 284(39%) samples yielded bacterial growth and 453(61%) samples showed no bacterial growth. The highest rate of positive growth was seen in samples of Floor of the Burn Ward 5 (78%) while the lowest incidence of positive growth was 1(1%) in samples of Surgical Instruments of the Burn Ward. Gram-positive bacteria were the predominant 173(61%) as compared with gram negative bacteria 111(39%). Conclusion: On the basis of data results we conclude that burn ward especially Floor harbor bacteria. Although some bacteria were normal flora, potentially pathogenic bacterial rates diverse between places.