Abstract

In recent years, the increase of nosocomical infections caused by droplet infection, airborne infection or contact infection has been a social problem, and preventive countermeasures are being discussed. For SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome) for example, it has been argued that the delay of action to prevent it has caused a global problem. For the purpose of seeking data concerning hospital sanitization, from the perspective of preventive medicine, this paper examined the real condition of a certain small-to-medium sized hospital for a year. Measurements focused on microbes (staphylococci and fungi), the most serious sources of infections in hospitals, including common bacteria (total count), staphylococcus , aureus, and multidrug-resistant staphylococcus aureus. We measured air cleanliness and airborne microbes at principal spots in the hospital 12 times during the year; after culturing, colony count was done to each microbe. Also, we measured the surface-adherent microbes taken from walls or fixtures (work tables, handrails, bed sheets, etc.) 6 times during the year. Multivariate analysis was done on the data. The results show the changes in the number of microbes depending on temperature and humidity throughout a 12-month period. Compared effects of different cleaning methods are also shown

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