Validation of hospital environmental disinfection efficiency of herbal fumigants

Abstract

Background: Healthcare associated infections includes infestation by bacteria, viruses and fungi. As per WHO estimates, approximately 15% of all hospitalized patients suffer from these nosocomial infections caused by these micro-organisms. Outbreaks of such infections increases the use of antibiotics, vitamins and immonomodulator medicines. During ancient times, to prevent spread of infections; fumigation with herbs was a practice and it is still seen continued. Material & methods: Good quality herbal fumigants like Guggulu gum-resin, turmeric powder, spikenard rhizome, white mustard fruits, caraway fruits, camphor resins and cow’s ghee were used for fumigation of various hospital rooms like out-patient department room, dental clinic, gynecological procedure room, physiotherapy and operation theatre of Community Healthcare Center, Sarsa. Swabs from these units were tested for bacterial and fungal load before and after experiment by using culture media’s like nutrient broth and potato dextrose agar respectively. Results: The bacteria culture reported organisms namely Bacilus subtilis, Bacilus megaterium, Staphylococcus aureus, Micrococcus luteus and fungi like Aspergillus niger, mucor and rhizophus. After 30 minutes of fumigation procedure, significant reduction in bacterial colonies was found in gynecological procedure room, dental clinic, OPD and physiotherapy room while statistically non-significant results were observed in operation theatre. Two hours after fumigation, statistically significant result was observed in bacterial count in all studied units except operation theatre while fungal colonies reduction was achieved in all studied units. Conclusion: Fumigation shall be encouraged in hospital units like out patients department, wards and minor procedure rooms but may not be perfectly suitable for operative theatres always. The study encourages daily herbal fumigation of home and surroundings for hygienic and pleasant environment.