Abstract

MITIGATING HOSPITAL INFECTION RISKS AT THE “UNIVERSITÉ DES MONTAGNES” TEACHING HOSPITAL: HOLISTIC POLICY TO MEET THE CHALLENGE

Pierre René Fotsing Kwetché*, Esther Guladys Kougang, Christelle Domngang Noche, O’Neal Dorsel Youté, Serge Honoré Tchoukoua, Anselme Michel Yawat Djogang, Peguy Mbianda, Golda Joyce Chouna Djeutsa, Virginie Feugang, Franck Tchamako, Madeleine Monthedoun, Danielle Wonkam and Lazare Kaptué

ABSTRACT

The present study aimed at investigating through the non-stringent bacterial populations and the susceptibility profile of isolates in the surgical department of the “Université des Montagnes” Teaching Hospital. Specimen collection was conducted by wet swabbing and passive sedimentation of bacteria for surfaces and airborne bacteria, respectively. In each case, appropriate culture media were used for the optimal growth of targeted organisms. Subsequent to incubation that was conducted according to standard protocols, enumeration, identification and susceptibility tests followed. In this process, bacterial loads were classified as low (10 CFU/cm²), intermediate (10-30 CFU/cm2) or high (>30 CFU/cm²) according to the count value per surface unit. A total of 281 isolates were recovered from 144 specimens. Basically these isolates consisted of Gram-positive cocci (73%), Gram-positive rods (16%) and Gram-negative rods (11%). Further considerations revealed higher bacterial loads in the minor surgery and hospitalization room premises, and found to reflect the contamination-prevention policy in force in the targeted areas. Susceptibility test results indicated 100% oxacillin-resistance rates in Staphylococcus aureus, global high resistance to beta-lactams, improved susceptibility to Gentamycin, Imipenem and fluoroquinolones in all isolates, and high rates of multidrug resistance. If frequent multidrug-resistant bacteria in the hospital could seriously undermine any attempts to infection control with antibiotics in case of infection, it comes out from the present survey that extending infection prevention policy to other hospital department could be a successful experience, and could drastically mitigate hospital acquired infection risks.

Keywords: Healthcare facility, bacteria, susceptibility profile, infection prevention.