Abstract

The abiogenic factors of hospital-acquired infections include the number and types of machinery and equipment made of industrial materials. Microbial media types and the existence of physical forces responsible for the movement of microorganisms are also important determinants of infections. The goal of this article was to examine the abiogenic factors in the transmission of microflora in hospital. Hospital surfaces may contain microflora diverse in quantify and species. Those species include S. aureus (MRSA, Methicilin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus) strains, vancomycin Enterococcus (VRE, Vancomycin Resistant Enterococcus) strains, Clostridium difficile, Actinobacter baumannii, noroviruses and Candida sp. Equipment used for gastroscopy, bronchoscopy, otoscopy or endoscopy, as well as glass elements of equipment used in various treatments in hospitals can be a source of Escherichia coli, Klebsiella sp., Proteus vulgaris, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Microbes moreover survive in fabrics used for production of clothing, blankets, bed linen, and bandages. The hydrophobicity of the materials used for hospital equipment manufacturing determines the equipment’s susceptibility to microbial sedimentation and microbial adherence. Creation of biofilms and microbial detachment from the surface are the factors determining the transmission of microorganisms. Microorganism transfer from hospital surfaces can, in part, be prevented by keeping them dry and applying layers of nanoparticles with bacteriostatic properties.

Adres: prof. dr hab. Izabela Steinka
Zakład Higieny Żywności Katedry Żywienia Klinicznego GUMed
ul. Dębinki 7, 80-211 Gdańsk
e-mail: steinkaizaanna@gumed.edu.pl