Contamination of Environmental Surfaces by Staphylococcus aureus in a Dermatological Ward and Its Preventive Measures

Abstract

We investigated contamination of environmental surfaces by Staphylococcus aureus from April 1 to the end of June in 2002 in the dermatological ward (37 beds) of a university hospital. For surfaces contaminated by high levels of S. aureus, disinfection methods were evaluated. 100-10 5 colony forming units (cfu) of methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) or methicillin-sensitive S. aureus (MSSA) were detected on items such as an immersion bathtub (examined area, about 900 cm 2 ), foot washbowl, stretcher for an immersion bath, and chair for the shower. After disinfection, no S. aureus was detected on smooth surfaces such as the immersion bathtub and foot washbowl; however, S. aureus was detected even after disinfection on porous surfaces made of sponge-like materials (polyethylene foam) such as the stretcher for the immersion bath and the shower chair. Scanning electron microscopy of the porous surfaces showed formation of a large amount of coccus and bacillus biofilms on the walls of pores in the multi-pore structure. Material that is porous should not be used in patient care settings because it is not possible to disinfect it properly.

Staphylococcus aureus Contamination on the Surface of Working Tables in Ward Staff Centers and Its Preventive Methods

“…Previous studies on surfaces have evaluated the MRSA contamination states of various items such as doctors' and nurses' pens, 3) tourniquets, 4) mattresses, 5) television sets, 6) faucet handles, 7) bedframes, 5,8) over-bed tables, 8) computers, 7,9) room door handles, 10) immersion bathtubs, stretchers for an immersion bath, and chairs for the shower. 11) However, to our knowledge, there have been no detailed studies on the MRSA contamination status of the surface of working tables, which frequently come into contact with the fingers of medical staff such as physicians and nurses, in ward staff centers. In the establishment of infection, microbial density is important, and therefore, the MRSA contamination density on environmental surfaces may be important; however, there have been few quantitative studies on MRSA contamination on environmental surfaces.…”

Contamination of wheelchairs by Staphylococcus aureus

“…The three main methods to detect environmental microbial contamination use a swab [1,8,12,13,14,15,16] , gauze wipe [3,17,18] , and agar plate [19,20] . The agar plate method is not appropriate for evaluating the contamination of the handles or hand rims of wheelchairs.…”

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus on surfaces of an Intensive Care Unit

“…Numerous studies illustrate that many different inanimate surfaces in hospitals can become a reservoir for MRSA (14)(15)(16)(17)(18) . Several studies specifically address environmental MRSA contamination within isolation units (19)(20)(21) .…”