MICROBIOLOGICAL PROFILE OF HIGH TOUCH AREAS OF CRITICAL AND NON-CRITICAL UNITS IN TEACHING HOSPITAL OF MADHYA PRADESH, INDIA

In the current scenario, Nosocomial infections (NI) due to environmental contamination in shared settings of health care, are a serious public health issue affecting millions of people every year worldwide. Therefore, this study aims to create a microbiological profile of high touch areas of Critical and Non-Critical units in Teaching Hospital of Madhya Pradesh. This Cross-sectional Study deals with bacterial (aerobic and anaerobic) surveillance and its antimicrobial susceptibility testing which will aid in enlisting antimicrobial-resistant bacteria and guide us in the use of antimicrobials judiciously. A total of 128 samples were taken from Critical care units and non-Critical units from eight surface locations classified into categories of immediate patient environment and commonly used equipment. These samples were then processed for isolation and identification by standard methods. Out of 128 samples, 28 (21.8%) samples were culture positive for aerobic only and none for anaerobic bacteria. Among which more culture positive samples were isolated from non-Critical units 53.5%, topping the list of contamination were General Medicine ward and Gynecology ward (17.8 %). The majority of isolated microorganisms were Staphylococcus aureus of which 38.4% were MRSA. It showed maximum resistance for Ampicillin (AMP) and was most sensitive to Gentamicin (GEN). Present study highlights that control of Staphylococcus aureus infection (including MRSA) in hospitals is essential. It can be achieved by proper implementation of hospital infection control measures and regular surveillance activity.