Effects of a Protocol for the Preparation of Oxygen-Moisturizing Chambers on the Count of Its Bacteria Colony

This study aims to evaluate the effect of the protocol for the preparation of oxygen-moisturizing chamber on the count of its bacteria.This study is a double- group clinical trial before and after intervention, which was carried out in the neurology ward of an educational hospital in Esfahan from July to December 2015. In this study, 64 oxygen humidifying chambers were studied in terms of number and type of microorganisms in two groups of 32 during three phases, before, immediately after, and 6 hours after its intervention. In order to identify the microorganisms, the samples were cultured on the blood agar and EMB (Eosin Methylene Blue). Then, the routine laboratory methods were used to identify the types of microorganisms. Data were analyzed using SPSS 18, Wilcoxon, Mann-Whitney, chi-square and Friedman statistical tests.The results showed that before intervention, 71.9% (46/64) of oxygen-moisturizing chambers were contaminated with microorganisms. The extent of microbial contamination was from 0 to 105 CFU. Most of the contamination was with microorganisms such as Lactobacillus spp 23.4% (15/64), Bacillus sp17.2% (11/64), Pseudomonas aeruginosa 10.9% (7/64), Coagulase-negative staphylococci 7.8% (5/64), Acinetobacter baumannii 3.1% (2/64), Sphingomonas spp 3.1%(2/64), Escherichia coli 1.6% (1/64), Streptococcus spp 3.1% (2/64), Fungus spp 3.1% (2/64). However, immediately after the intervention and 6 hours after connecting oxygen-moisturizing chamber to the patient, the infection rate was substantially reduced and reached zero (p<0/001).With regard to the fact that the contamination of oxygen-moisturizing chamber was significantly reduced after the implementation of care protocol, the implementation of this Protocol can be one of the effective measures in reducing the transmission of nosocomial infections.