Page 170 - policy and procedure infection control

Policies and Procedures on Infection Control

10.2.5.3 Microbiology
• Check the plates label and the request form together with the ICN who perform
the sampling.
• Incubate the plates at 37 0 C for nutrient agar and place the blood agar in the
CO2 incubator with temperature at 37 0 C.
• Inspect the plates after 24 hours and count the colonies grown on each plate,
note on the work sheet.
10.2.5.4 Results and Interpretation
• Reporting: ———— colonies /m 3
• Interpretation of results: Aerobic cultures on non selective medium should not
exceed 35cfu/m3 ventilating air.
• Fungal cultures may be indicated in some circumstances where fungal
contamination were suspected. They are not done routinely for OT
commissioning. Fungal cultures not exceed 35cfu/m3 ventilating air
• Agar used will be Sabaurouds plus chloramphenicol and gentamicin

• Interpretations will be the same as of bacterial counts.

10.2.6 Air Flow
1. The direction of air flow between rooms in a theater suite is used to ensure that
there is no backflow of air from either dirty rooms or from contaminated areas in
the hospital.
2. The ICN should carry out airflow visualization (smoke testing)
• To observe for turbulent airflow particularly around the position of the OT table
• Any backflow from the OT to adjacent rooms (anesthetic room, scrub room,
disposal room, corridor)
3. Method: Smoke tube (follow manufacturers recommendation)
• Break one end of the tube and attached it to the rubber bulb, then break the
other end.
• Press the bulb to create a puff of smoke, observe the existence of the smoke,
it should dissolve within seconds of its creation under the air curtains.
• Observe for any air turbulence under the air curtains, watch for the airflow at
each of the 4 quadrants.
• Near each door connecting to the adjacent room, press the bulb again to
create a puff of smoke and watch for its direction with door closed and opened
slightly.
4. Particle count
• Charge the battery of the counter before the commissioning takes place
• Check whether it is functioning.

Ministry of Health Malaysia 159