Abstract
A three-year study of floor bacteria was carried out in a critical care ward for emergency patients. The ward was regularly disinfected by 0.2%glutaraldehyde (GA) or 1%alkyl di (aminoethyl) glycin hydrochloride (TG) aquatic solution once a year, and was daily mopped with 0.1%TG after the second and third regular ward disinfection. A continuous reduction of average number of floor bacteria was observed over 6 months after 0.2%GA disinfection in only the second year.
Acinetobacter sp. and Xanthomonas maltophilia were most frequently detected, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Serratia sp., P. putida and Enterobacter cloacae followed them in 1981. Diffusion patterns on the ward floor of X. maltophilia were compared with those of Acinetobacter sp. after regular disinfections in 1982 and 1983. X. maltophilia spread from surroundings of patients beds to nurse station and laboratory. On the other hand, Acinetobacter distributed all over the ward floor just after the regular disinfection.
These results indicate the possibility of contaminated medical instruments as source for X. maltophilia, and medical staffs and other entrants for Acinetobacter sp.
To control bacterial ward contamination, I recommend as follows:
1. The regular disinfection by 0.2%GA twice a year, and daily mopping by 0.1%TG.
2. The regular disinfection or sterilization of medical instruments contaminated by patients.
3. Cleaning administration for medical staffs and other entrants.
