Bacteriological analysis of surfaces and in vitro effectiveness of disinfectants in the neonatology and operating room area of the Pablo Jaramillo Crespo Foundation Humanitarian Hospital. Cuenca - Ecuador

Abstract

Introduction: Bacterial resistance to antibiotics and disinfectants is a severe health problem mediated by resistance mechanisms, affecting global healthcare systems due to limited treatment alternatives and prohibitive costs. On the other hand, disinfectant sensitivity has decreased when evaluating in vitro effectiveness according to concentrations recommended by health entities such as the World Health Organization and the Ministry of Public Health. Objective: To assess the in vitro effectiveness of hospital disinfectants on bacteria isolated in the neonatology and operating room areas of the Humanitarian Hospital ‘Pablo Jaramillo Crespo’ - Cuenca - Ecuador. Methodology: A descriptive cross-sectional field study was conducted. Samples were obtained from the neonatology and operating room areas of the Humanitarian Hospital ‘Pablo Jaramillo Crespo’ in Cuenca - Ecuador. Bacteriological identification was performed using phenotypic methods for subsequent evaluation of susceptibility and resistance using the Kirby - Bauer method. Results:  Microbial growth was observed in 48% of samples, identifying strains of S. aureus, Enterococcus spp, Staphylococcus saprophyticus, Streptococcus agalactiae, Pseudomonas spp, E. coli, and Klebsiella spp, highlighting resistance to β-lactams and cephalosporins, where Pseudomonas are resistant to meropenem, and Enterococcus is resistant to linezolid. Sensitivity to disinfectants is exceptionally low, with total resistance to ethanol, hypochlorite, potassium monopersulfate, glutaraldehyde, and medium to high sensitivity to iodopovidone, quaternary ammonium, hydrogen peroxide at concentrations approved by health authorities. Conclusion: The in vitro effectiveness of hospital antibiotics and disinfectants was assessed in bacteria isolated from the neonatology and operating room areas, finding a high percentage of resistant samples.