Page 169 - policy and procedure infection control

Policies and Procedures on Infection Control

10.2.5 Air Sampling
10.2.5.1 Preparation
• Get the advice of Clinical Microbiologist/ Science officer prior to commissioning
owing to the large factors that affect microbial air sampling results.
• Prepare the air sampler
o Fully charge the battery
o Get the sieve cap autoclaved a day before the process
o Order the required number of culture plates required for sampling process
(Nutrient agar /Blood agar)
• Change into clean OT attire (Sterile OT gown will have little effect on dispersions
as the time gap between leaving the theatre and taking sample will cause
dilution of the air in the OT)
• Prepare the sampling materials outside the OT. Clean the surface of a trolley
with alcohol swabs, place a sterile wrapping paper. Place the sterile sieve
cap, sterile gloves and alcohol swabs on a sterile gallipot on the trolley.
• Set the timing of the Air sampler to 10 minutes to sample optimally a volume
of 1,000 liters of air. A shorter time will be allowed but the number of colonies
isolated will be multiplied by a constant factor (follow manufacturer’s
instructions). The sample volume should not be less than 250 liters of air and
not more than 1,000 liters as it will cause the agar to dry off.

10.2.5.2 Sampling method
• The number of samples taken depends on consensus of the ICCT. A single
sample collected from each OT would be adequate if all the OT parameters
are within normal range and there are no obvious defects seen.
• Only one staff shall set up the air sampler in the OT to minimize dispersion
contamination.
• The air sampler should be placed in the middle of the OT table or secured on
a trolley where the theater table is usually located.
• Using aseptic technique, place the culture plate into the air sampler.
• Once the air sampler has been set, the staff should leave the OT and close
the door.
• Allow a few minutes gap to clear the air and using a remote or extension wire,
start the air sampler.
• All doors must be closed and the theater empty until sampling is completed.
• Once the air sampler has stop, remove the plate and carefully place the cap,
lable the plate.( OT name/number, date, volume of air if not standardized)
• Once completed immediately send all the plates in the closed carrier container
to the Microbiology laboratory.

158 Ministry of Health Malaysia