Surveillance of Environmental and Procedural Measures of Infection Control in the Operating Theatre Setting

Laura Dallolio, Alessandra Raggi, Tiziana Sanna, Magda Mazzetti, Alessandra Orsi, Angela Zanni, Patrizia Farruggia and Erica Leoni
Additional contact information
Laura Dallolio: Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences, Unit of Hygiene, Public Health and Medical Statistics, University of Bologna, via S. Giacomo 12, 40126 Bologna, Italy
Alessandra Raggi: Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences, Unit of Hygiene, Public Health and Medical Statistics, University of Bologna, via S. Giacomo 12, 40126 Bologna, Italy
Tiziana Sanna: Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences, Unit of Hygiene, Public Health and Medical Statistics, University of Bologna, via S. Giacomo 12, 40126 Bologna, Italy
Magda Mazzetti: Unit of Hygiene, Control of Healthcare Associated Infections, Local Health Authority of Bologna, Bellaria Hospital, via Altura 3, 40139 Bologna, Italy
Alessandra Orsi: Unit of Hygiene and Quality of Residential Services, Local Health Authority of Bologna, Bellaria Hospital, via Altura 3, 40139 Bologna, Italy
Angela Zanni: Unit of Hygiene and Quality of Residential Services, Local Health Authority of Bologna, Bellaria Hospital, via Altura 3, 40139 Bologna, Italy
Patrizia Farruggia: Unit of Hygiene and Quality of Residential Services, Local Health Authority of Bologna, Bellaria Hospital, via Altura 3, 40139 Bologna, Italy
Erica Leoni: Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences, Unit of Hygiene, Public Health and Medical Statistics, University of Bologna, via S. Giacomo 12, 40126 Bologna, Italy

IJERPH, 2017, vol. 15, issue 1, 1-10

Abstract: The microbiological contamination of operating theatres and the lack of adherence to best practices by surgical staff represent some of the factors affecting Surgical Site Infections (SSIs). The aim of the present study was to assess the microbiological quality of operating settings and the staff compliance to the SSI evidence-based control measures. Ten operating rooms were examined for microbiological contamination of air and surfaces, after cleaning procedures, in “at rest” conditions. Furthermore, 10 surgical operations were monitored to assess staff compliance to the recommended practices. None of the air samples exceeded microbiological reference standards and only six of the 200 surface samples (3.0%) were slightly above recommended levels. Potentially pathogenic bacteria and moulds were never detected. Staff compliance to best practices varied depending on the type of behaviour investigated and the role of the operator. The major not compliant behaviours were: pre-operative skin antisepsis, crowding of the operating room and hand hygiene of the anaesthetist. The good environmental microbiological quality observed is indicative of the efficacy of the cleaning-sanitization procedures adopted. The major critical point was staff compliance to recommended practices. Awareness campaigns are therefore necessary, aimed at improving the organisation of work so as to facilitate compliance to operative protocols.

Keywords: surgical site infections; operating theatres; surgery cleaning procedures; microbiological contamination; evidence-based surgical good practices (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2017
References: View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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