Conference abstract
Assessment of possible healthcare associated infection pathogens at a military hospital, Lagos State, Nigeria, November, 2015
Pan African Medical Journal - Conference Proceedings. 2018:8(81).09
Apr 2018.
doi: 10.11604/pamj-cp.2018.8.81.692
Archived on: 09 Apr 2018
Contact the corresponding author
Keywords: Healthcare associated infection, nosocomial pathogens, sterile, fomites
Opening ceremony
Assessment of possible healthcare associated infection pathogens at a military hospital, Lagos State, Nigeria, November, 2015
Odekunle Bola Odegbemi1,&, Festus Oshama2, Ogbeche Ochagu2, Abiodun Ogunniyi1, Muhammad Balogun1
1Nigeria Field Epidemiology and Laboratory Training Programme, Abuja, Nigeria, 2Nigerian Navy Reference Hospital, Ojo, Lagos, Nigeria
&Corresponding author
Odekunle Bola Odegbemi, Nigeria Field Epidemiology and Laboratory Training Programme, Asokoro, Abuja, Nigeria
Introduction: healthcare associated infection (HCAI) are infections among patients in hospital setting that become manifest only after 48 hours of hospital stay, which are caused by pathogens acquired in healthcare settings. Usually, HCAI are infections of urinary tract, surgical wounds, and the lower respiratory tract. They are a major cause of death and increased morbidity in hospitalized patients. In November, 2015, we assessed the prevalence of possible nosocomial pathogens at a military hospital in Lagos State, Nigeria.
Methods: hospital areas such as theatre, treatment room, nurses’ station, male surgical ward, vital signs room, accident and emergency room, labour room, and post-natal ward were randomly sampled for the survey. We collected swabs specimens from specific sites such as table tops, faucets, door handles, beddings and equipment using sterile swab sticks. The swabs were inoculated on nutrient, chocolate and McConkey agar plates and incubated at 37°C for 24 hours. We characterized isolates by Gram reaction and biochemical methods.
Results: out of the 83 sites cultured, 31 37.3%) yielded significant growth. Organisms isolated include Staphylococcus epidermidis (32.2%), Staphylococcus aureus (22.6%), Escherichia coli (12.9%), Klebsiella pneumoniae (9.7%), Streptococcus pyrogenes (9.7%), Aspergillus spp. (9.7%) and Proteus mirabilis (3.2%) were isolated. These isolates were from sterile and non-sterile sites, fomites and hospital equipment. Non-sterile sites were less likely to have microbial growth when compared with sterile sites; (Odds ratio: 0.78, CI: 0.20 - 3.03). However, this association was not statistically significant.
Conclusion: possible pathogens for HCAI were isolated from vital sections of the hospital. Organisms isolated pose risk to sterile procedures and patients care with attendant burden on their recovery. We educated the hospital community on the importance of hand washing with soap and recommended adherence to regular sterilization and disinfection procedures of relevant sites where patient care is administered towards reduction of healthcare associated pathogens.
