ORCID
0000-0002-4042-2393
Department
Biological Sciences
Year of Study
6
Full-time or Part-time Study
Part-time Study
Level
Postgraduate
Presentation Type
Oral Presentation
Supervisor
Dr Brigid Lucey
Supervisor
Prof. Roy Sleator
Abstract
The aim of the current study was to determine the prevalence of Multidrug Resistant Organisms (MDRO) colonisation on a surgical ward of an acute tertiary hospital. MDRO determination was conducted on a patient-occupied surgical ward over a 6-month period. The screen included sink, and shower drains in bathrooms and sinks of multi-bedded and single-occupied rooms. Swabs were cultured on chromogenic agar to enable detection of methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), Carbapenemase producing enterobacterales (CPE), Vancomycin Resistant Enterococci (VRE) and Extended spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL). Suspect resistant organisms were confirmed using NG-Carba 5 (NG Biotech, Guipry, France) lateral flow tests, Vitek 2.0 sensitivity cards, and Mast ESBL discs (Mast Group Ltd.) In total, 53 swabs were cultured and 17 MDROs detected (9 ESBL, 7 CPE, 1 VRE) equating to a 32% overall positivity rate. Environmental colonisation with MDROs and its contribution to hospital acquired infections is an increasing cause for concern. Environmental contamination and hospital acquired infections, for example, have been shown to increase antibiotic usage and significantly prolong hospital stays. This has particular importance for surgical site infections. Increased MDRO patient screening and standardised environmental screening/cleaning are recommended to break the link between environmental reservoirs and hospital acquired infections, thereby reducing antibiotic usage and extended hospital stays.
Keywords:
MDRO, Environmental, Screening, Carbapenemase
Start Date
16-6-2025 1:00 PM
End Date
16-6-2025 1:15 PM
Recommended Citation
Fahy, Sinead A. and Fahy, Sinéad, "Environmental Screening for Multidrug Resistant (MDR) Organisms in the Surgical Ward of an Irish Tertiary Referral Hospital." (2025). ORBioM (Open Research BioSciences Meeting). 1.
https://sword.cit.ie/orbiom/2025/oral2/1
Environmental Screening for Multidrug Resistant (MDR) Organisms in the Surgical Ward of an Irish Tertiary Referral Hospital.
The aim of the current study was to determine the prevalence of Multidrug Resistant Organisms (MDRO) colonisation on a surgical ward of an acute tertiary hospital. MDRO determination was conducted on a patient-occupied surgical ward over a 6-month period. The screen included sink, and shower drains in bathrooms and sinks of multi-bedded and single-occupied rooms. Swabs were cultured on chromogenic agar to enable detection of methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), Carbapenemase producing enterobacterales (CPE), Vancomycin Resistant Enterococci (VRE) and Extended spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL). Suspect resistant organisms were confirmed using NG-Carba 5 (NG Biotech, Guipry, France) lateral flow tests, Vitek 2.0 sensitivity cards, and Mast ESBL discs (Mast Group Ltd.) In total, 53 swabs were cultured and 17 MDROs detected (9 ESBL, 7 CPE, 1 VRE) equating to a 32% overall positivity rate. Environmental colonisation with MDROs and its contribution to hospital acquired infections is an increasing cause for concern. Environmental contamination and hospital acquired infections, for example, have been shown to increase antibiotic usage and significantly prolong hospital stays. This has particular importance for surgical site infections. Increased MDRO patient screening and standardised environmental screening/cleaning are recommended to break the link between environmental reservoirs and hospital acquired infections, thereby reducing antibiotic usage and extended hospital stays.
