Page 207 - Petelin, Ana, ur. 2024. Zdravje delovno aktivnih in starejših odraslih / Health of Working-Age and Older Adults. Zbornik povzetkov z recenzijo ▪︎ Book of Abstracts. Koper: Založba Univerze na Primorskem/University of Primorska Press

Potential sources of nosocomial infections in the intensive care unit

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1
Andrejka Vončina Čermelj , Katja Kranjc , Mojca Novak 2
1 University of Primorska Faculty of Health Sciences, Izola, Slovenia
2 University Clinic of Respiratory and Allergic Diseases Golnik, Golnik, Slovenia
Introduction: Healthcare-associated infections (HCAIs) pose a significant challenge in
healthcare settings particularly in intensive care units (ICUs), where the frequent use
of invasive devices like endotracheal tubes, intravascular, and urinary catheters in-
crease the risk. These infections are mainly caused by bacteria, with a growing trend
of antibiotic-resistant strains. The aim of the study was to determine the abundance of
microorganisms in close proximity to patients and on the hands of healthcare person-
nel within the ICU of a Slovenian hospital.
Methods: Data were collected using an experimental approach, involving microbiologi-
cal sampling of various surfaces: the hands of healthcare personnel prior to morning
care; work clothing after the shift; bedside tables pre-disinfection; the surface of the
blood collection trolley at least three hours post-disinfection; and the microbiological
quality of the air before ventilation and room sanitation using a sedimentation meth-
od. Following sampling, the specimens were transferred to the hospital’s microbiologi-
cal laboratory and processed in accordance with the international standard ISO 15189.
Bacterial species were identified using the matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization
time-of-flight mass spectrometer (MALDI-TOF) method.
Results: A total of 65 bacterial species and one fungal genus were identified in 45 sam- posterji | poster presentations
ples. The highest diversity of microbial community was observed in the air, where
we found 16 different species of microorganisms. This was followed by work cloth-
ing (n=14), personnel hands (n=7), and bedside table (n=3). There were no microor-
ganisms detected on the working surface of the blood collection trolley. Among all
samples, coagulase-negative staphylococci were the most frequently detected, includ-
ing Staphylococcus epidermidis (in 15 out of 45 samples) and S. hominis (12/45). Oth-
er species detected in more than 1.5% of all samples were: Priestia flexa (5/45), S. au-
reus (4/45), Micrococcus luteus (3/45), S. warneri (3/45), S. capitis (3/45), S. haemolyticus
(2/45), B. cereus (2/45), and Peanibacillus urinaris (2/45). Notably, two important bac-
terial species in terms of HCAI were also identified: Klebsiella oxytoca and Stenotropho-
monas spp.
Discussion and Conclusion: Through a comparison to European and Slovenian cross-sec-
tional studies, we have identified microorganisms that were implicated as possible
causes of sepsis associated to vascular catheters, urinary tract infections associated
with urinary catheters, and pneumonia associated with endotracheal tubes. Given the
isolation of potential pathogens associated with HCAI in our study, it is important to
share these results to the healthcare personnel and educate them about the micro-
organisms present in their work environment. Furthermore, these findings can serve
as a motivation to consistently adhere to standard protocols aimed at preventing the
transmission of HCAI pathogens.
Keywords: healthcare-associated infections, infection prevention, intensive care unit

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