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Background
Neonates in a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) represent patients vulnerable to
many pathogens due to their immunocompromised status. An earlier study of Staphylococci
in this NICU suggested widespread environmental contamination, including Methicillin
Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). This study focused on Staphylococci associated
with occupied isolette beds in the unit.
Methods
Two phases of this study were conducted. Initially, sterile transport swabs were used
to collect samples from 10 different locations in 7 different pods of a NICU on 9
dates, focusing on areas surrounding neonate isolette beds. The second phase involved
collection of swabs from 10 different locations in and on occupied neonate isolette
beds, on 5 dates. For both phases swabs were used to inoculate Hardy CHROM MRSA agar
plates (to detect MRSA), and mannitol salt agar (to detect S. aureus). Incubation
was at 37°C for 48 hours. Descriptive statistics and Mann Whitney Utest was used for
analysis.
Results
Results of phase one indicated that the floors by the pod sinks were most contaminated
(p < .05) by MRSA and S. aureus (% positive swabs, MRSA = 76.2%; S. aureus = 87.3%).
Looking more closely at the isolettes in phase two, we found MRSA present at the foot
of the bed (11.4%), in ports at the foot of the beds (5.7%), and on suction tips (25.7%).
Conclusions
These data suggest that after efforts to reduce bacterial contamination in this NICU,
focused on care-giver:patient contacts, several key environments near isolettes remain
contaminated by Staphylococci. The floors in the unit may serve as a reservoir for
MRSA and S. aureus. More concerning are the high levels of MRSA contamination found
in the suction devices often found adjacent to or inside isolettes. Additional measures
to target Staphylococci reduction in this NICU are now underway.
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Copyright
© 2022 Published by Elsevier Inc.
