Abstract
Purpose: The effect of wearing an isolation-type cap and gown with clean shoes on environmental contamination in an intensive care unit was studied. Method: Two groups were compared: Staffs and visitors who wear a cap, a gown, and clean shoes (group C) and others who wear ordinary shoes and no cap or gown (group N). Microbes on culture plates (colonies formed per plate, CFP) were examined three times daily at 11 sampling spots in the ICU, and in an entrance of the ICU as a reference. Dust and hairs adhering to a dry cloth of a wiper used in three areas were assessed: i. e. in an entrance room (C), an area around three beds (I), and the floor in the nursing station (O). Bacterial colonies (colony-forming unit, CFU) sampled with an impression plate at four sampling spots (e. g. the computer desk or a door knob) were counted twice daily. All examinations were continued over 12 days. Results: Environmental microbes did not differ between the two groups (C, 0.5 to 7; N, 0.5 to 8 CFP, in an average) and both were smaller than the reference (12 to 19 CFP, P<0.01). Dust and hairs in the area C were significantly greater in group C than in group N (dust, 0.2±0 vs 0.1±0g; hairs, 26±8.1 vs 13±4.0, mean ± SD, P<0.05). No difference was apparent between the two groups concerning dust in the area I or O. Bacterial colonies on impression plates did not differ between the two groups. Hairs were fewer in group N than in group C in the areas in the ICU. Discussion: The data indicated that wearing an isolation-type cap and gown, and clean shoes could not prevent microbial contamination and that wearing a cap might make staffs touch their hair more frequently to lose them and contaminate their hands. The increase of bacterial colonies adhered to some monitoring apparatus and devices suggested that staffs' contaminated hands were transfering it. In summary, use of an isolation-type cap and gown, and clean shoes did not prevent environmental contamination in the ICU.
