Iranian Journal of

Background and Objective: Bacterial exposure in hospitals due to the presence of pathogens in hospitals is one of important health problems for medical staff. The World Health Organization (WHO) reported a global outbreak of hospital infections from 5.7% to 19.1% in the 2011 report. The aim of this study was to identify bacterial bioaerosols in nursing stations in a public hospital in Tehran to determine the occupational hazards of them.
Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted three times at fifteen nursing station in 15 different departments of a public hospital in Tehran. 45 samples were prepared on three culture media including Mackangi Agar, nutrient agar and Manitol Salt Agar.  Air samples were prepared according to NIOSH 0800 method by a bacterial sampler with a flow rate of 28.3 L/min for 5 min. Samples were analyzed by microbial screening test.
Results: Mean of the bacterial infection was 180.03±125.27 CFU/m³. The results showed that there were gram positive staphylococcus aureus in the all air samples of nursing stations. Moreover, in 26.7% of occupational exposure nursing stations with Acinetobacter Iwoffii was observed as the most common gram negative bacteria.. Maximum bacterial number was found in orthopedic nursing station (399.99 CFU/m³) and heart transplant nursing station had the minimum bacterial infection (43.73 CFU/m³).
Conclusion: Eighty percent of occupational exposure in the samples had higher exposure to bacterial pathogens than the standards set by ACGIH (75 CFU/m³). Due to the presence of Staphylococcus aureus, E. coli and Acinetobacter Iwoffii in nursing stations, there was a risk of hospital infections in health care workers. It seems unsuitable surface sterilization and lake of useful engineered controlling methods has led to bio aerosol scattering in the air of studied stations.
 

Background and Objective: Hospitals are the center of infection transmission due to their special conditions. In order to reduce microorganisms from the equipment and in the hospital environment, disinfection and sterilization methods are required. The aim of this study was to investigate the types of disinfectants used in Kashan hospitals.
Materials and Methods: In this descriptive cross-sectional study, Kashan hospitals were selected in 2019 by simple random sampling and the relevant checklist was completed. The required information was collected and analyzed by interviewing an environmental health expert and observing different parts of the hospital and visiting the disinfectant warehouse.
Results: Due to the type of services provided and the possible resistance of the existing microorganisms, the studied hospitals use certain types of disinfectants. Bleach and sayasept- HP were the most widely used disinfectants.
Conclusion: The results showed that since the disinfection is performed by service personnel and help of health workers, informing them about the incidence and prevalence of nosocomial infections, loss of life and financial damage caused by these diseases is very important. In addition, the effective roles of these individuals in the optimal elimination of environmental pathogens and consequently the reduction of nosocomial infections are crucial.

Background and Objective: In hospitals, the emergency department is a complex healthcare environment, and it is necessary to attention to nosocomial infections. This study aimed to evaluate the implementation of nosocomial infection program in the emergency department.
Materials and Methods: This descriptive study was conducted in hospitals of Gorgan, Iran, in 2022, using the WHO checklist with 96 questions in 9 section staff; patients, environment, equipment, drug, prevention of infections wound, urinary, respiratory, and blood. Data were collected via observation and interviews. A checklist containing 45 questions was used to determine the impact of staff awareness on the infection control program, in 4 sections oftheoretical knowledge, performing procedures, immunization, and environmental hygiene.
Results: The results show that 82.46% of the infection control program was satisfactory. The percentage of scores for different sections of nosocomial infection program including staff, patients, environment, equipment, drug, infection prevention of wound, urinary, respiratory and blood  was 79.31, 77.78,  81.25,  83.34, 100, 44.34, 75.00, 87.88 and 100, respectively. Moreover, the percentage awareness score for emergency medicine specialists, general practitioners, medical interns, and nurses was 100, 95.83, 87.5, and 79.92, respectively.
Conclusion: The implementation quality of the infection control program was acceptable and satisfactory. However, some factors were lower than the desired level, which could be dangerous for medical staff, patients, and visitors. The medical staff believed that the support of the senior managers of the University was essential for the implementation of an infection control program, and also holding training courses, and accelerating data sharing.