EFFICACY OF AIR DISINFECTION DEVICES IN CONTROLLING ATMOSPHERIC MICROFLORA IN ENCLOSED HEALTH CARE SETTINGS.

INTRODUCTION: There is increasing concern with the prevalence of hospital infection. This is causing a significant economic and logistical burden on the health services. OBJECTIVES: To assess the efficacy of hydroxyl radical based air disinfection devices in reducing the atmospheric pathogen count in enclosed health care settings. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sequential trial with repeated readings was designed before and after installation of the Air Disinfection devices. Study was conducted at 52 points in different locations which included sections from out Patient Department, Intensive Care Units, Operation Theatre, Surgical Ward, Radiology Department and cubicles in routine microbiology. The samples collected with air sampler were processed in Neuromicrobiology Laboratory. RESULT: It was observed that the mean (±SE) colony forming units (CFU/m 3) count after 24 and 48 hours before and after use of air disinfectant devices at the above locations were 159.75 (±35.42), 210.31 (±65.15) and 44.04 (±14.15), 55.31 (±15.06) respectively. The differences in the mean CFU concentrations were found to be statistically significant (p= 0.006). Additionally, a high degree of variance in the CFU counts was noted before using the devices as compared to that after using the same. CONCLUSION: The results indicate that there is considerable reduction in the number of colony forming units subsequent to the introduction of the Air Disinfection devices. These devices supplement and compliment the general hygienic practices. However owing to a lot of compounding factors affecting the colony forming units in a given location, sufficient care must be taken for ascribing the reduction in the counts only to the device.