Impact of Footwear Practices on Reducing Bacterial Contamination in Operating Theatres: A Quasi-Experimental Study

Muhammad  Farooq; Muhammad Tanvir  Ahmad Qureshi; chaudhry Amjad  Ali; Kaswar Sajjad  Ansari; Kaukab  Majeed; Hamid  Iqbal

doi:10.51253/pafmj.v75i5.10889

Authors

Muhammad Farooq Department of Anesthesia, Quetta Institute of Medical Sciences, Combined Military Hospital, Quetta/National University of Medical Sciences (NUMS) Pakistan
Muhammad Tanvir Ahmad Qureshi Quetta Institute of Medical Sciences, Combined Military Hospital, Quetta/National University of Medical Sciences (NUMS) Pakistan
chaudhry Amjad Ali Department of Anesthesia, Quetta Institute of Medical Sciences, Combined Military Hospital, Quetta/National University of Medical Sciences (NUMS) Pakistan
Kaswar Sajjad Ansari Department of Medicine, Quetta Institute of Medical Sciences, Combined Military Hospital, Quetta/National University of Medical Sciences (NUMS) Pakistan
Kaukab Majeed Department of Anesthesia, Quetta Institute of Medical Sciences, Combined Military Hospital, Quetta/National University of Medical Sciences (NUMS) Pakistan
Hamid Iqbal Department of Pathology, Quetta Institute of Medical Sciences, Combined Military Hospital, Quetta/National University of Medical Sciences (NUMS) Pakistan

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.51253/pafmj.v75i5.10889

Keywords:

Bacteria, Contamination, Culture, Footwear, and Operation Theatre

Abstract

Objective: To measure the frequency of bacterial growth on cultures from the operating theatre before and after the application of infection control practices related to footwear.

Study Design: Quasi-experimental study

Place and Duration of Study: Anesthesiology Department, Combined Military Hospital, Quetta, Pakistan, from Jan 22 to Jan 23.

Methodology: The sample size of 198 was computed with the help of the WHO sample size calculator. The data of 99 samples was collected retrospectively (before improving practices) for five months and prospectively (after improving practices) for seven months. Randomization was done in two groups (B&A). The frequency of positive cultures was calculated before and after improvement of footwear practices and was analyzed through a chi-square test.

Results: A Total of 198 samples were taken from six operating theatres throughout the year. 34(17.7%) cultures came positive with different pathogens, which were included in the statistics. The frequency of pathogens was higher, 27(13.36%), before the improvement of practices and was lower, 7(3.5%) afterwards, with a p-value of 0.001.

Conclusion: This study highlights the significance of footwear practices in minimizing bacterial contamination within operating theatres. The intervention demonstrated that simple, cost-effective measures can enhance infection control.

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