Abstract
Purpose: It is aimed to determine the dust and bacteria colony counts in the air of the operating rooms (ORs) and intensive care unit before and after the clean-shoes were not required for the visiting staffs, patients and their family. Methods: For respective 12 months before/after the abolition of clean-shoes system, dust particle (>0.5μm) counts·feet-3 near the operating table or ICU patient's bed and bacteria colony-forming unit (CFU·m-3) were bimonthly determined using a handy particle counter and an air-sampler set respectively. In addition, dust particle count and bacteria colony number in agar plate were weekly determined for respective 5 weeks before/after the abolition of clean-shoes system. Results: The mean particle counts of ORs and ICU were unchanged while the frequency distribution of NASA class in the ICU was improved (P<0.05) after the abolition. The mean number of bacteria colonies in the sampled air and agar plate of the ORs and ICU were unchanged throughout the study. Discussion: The data indicated that the abolition of cleanshoes system did not cause the significant deterioration of the environmental cleanliness. Before the abolition, it should be educated that (1) the floor is always contaminated even under clean-shoes system, (2) the staffs should pay attention to keep clean surgical site, and (3) the floor should be swept routinely. Conclusion: The abolition of clean-shoes system will not affect the environmental cleanliness in the ORs and ICU under the legally-approved air-conditioning.
