Rothwell L, Swaby L, Tucker M, Dagnachew B, Desilva J, Farrell J and Wilson C
Objective: This study was undertaken to determine the presence of multidrugresistant (MDR) pathogenic bacteria in the environment of the Intensive Care Unit in a community hospital in Bermuda.
Methods: Twenty six environmental swabs taken from specific areas such as door handles, sinks, cupboards, drip stands, bed railings, work stations, computer keyboards and telephones were obtained for the study. Standard Microbiological methods using Clinical Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) were used in the study. Identification and susceptibility testing for all isolates were carried out using the Vitek II automated system (BioMerieux, Inc., Durham, NC).
Results: No multi-drug–resistant organisms were isolated from the ICU environment. The majority of the organisms isolated were non-pathogenic Grampositive cocci such as coagulase negative Staphylococcus, Micrococcus spp and Dermacoccus spp. Opportunistic pathogenic Gram-negative bacteria such as Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Acinetobacter hemolyticus and Klebsiella oxytoca were detected and were relatively susceptible to antimicrobial agents. In addition, Gram-negative organisms such as Brevundimons diminuta and Parococcus yeei were isolated from the environment. However, these organisms are usually not pathogenic.
Conclusion: Good compliance with Infection Prevention and Control measures as well as antimicrobial stewardship are important in preventing hospital acquired infections (HAI) including those caused by MDR organisms especially in an ICU setting.
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