Journal of Health and Safety at Work

Introduction: Microorganisms in hospitals are potential sources of infection to patients and staffs. Bioaerosol exposure is associated with a vast range of adverse health effects including infectious diseases, acute toxic effects, allergy. This study aimed to survey the type and density of bioaerosols in ambient air of different wards of educational hospitals Ardabil in 2016.  
 

Material and Method: This cross-sectional study was conducted in 2 educational hospitals of Ardabil city in 2016. ZTHV02 sampler and Tryptic soy Agar along with Cycloheximide antibiotic were used to evaluate and determine the airborne bacterial counts. The average sampling time was 10 minutes. Air samples were transported to the lab just after sampling and incubated for 48 hours at 37 ºC. Then, raised colonies  were counted. Bacterial density was expressed as CFU/m3 ± SD.   
 

Result: Mean bacterial concentrations were 10.3 and 23.4 CFU/m3 in Imam and Alavi hospitals, respectively. X-ray room in Imam Khomeini hospital and ICU room in Alavi hospital had the highest bacterial count. But, the least bacterial loads were observed in ICU and Angiography wards of Imam Khomeini and CTSCAN ward in Alavi hospitals. The most prevalent bacteria species isolated from air samples of Imam hospital was Enterococcus spp followed by Pseudomonas spp, coagulase negative Staphylococci spp and Non -Enterococcus group D Streptococci and for Alavi hospital; Coagulase negative Staphylococci spp followed by Psodomonas spp, Klebsilla spp and, Enterococcus spp.
No significant correlations were found between bacterial counts, temperature and humidity of the sampling sites. However, bacteria density significantly were higher in morning shift comparing to evening shift (P <0.05).
 

Conclusion: High concentration of airborne bacteria bio-aerosols in Ardabil hospitals can be important health risks for health workers and the patients.