Bacterial Profile of Commonly Accessed Equipment and Environment in Sehimex Medical Laboratory, Ekpoma.

The aim of this study is to determine the bacteria profile of commonly accessed equipment in Shimex medical laboratory, Ekpoma, Edo state. Wet swabs were used for sampling the laboratory items in different sites of the lab. Culture and isolation of isolates were done according to the standard microbial methods. Identification was based on culturing, Gram staining and biochemical tests. A total of 20 samples; 4 samples were collected from each of the items (Incubator, autoclave, work bench, tourniquet and Sphygmomanometer). Staphylococcus aureus and Klebsiella pneumoniae accounted for the highest bacterial contaminants constituting of 45% (9/15) and 15% (3/15) respectively. Pseudomonas aeruginosa 10%(2/10) and Enterobacter spp 5% (1/15) were less contaminants of the laboratory items. Contamination of the laboratory items have a main role in dispersion of the nosocomial pathogens in the laboratory environment. Vancomycin, ceftriaxone and ciprofloxacin were the most effective antibiotics against the gram positive isolate (Staphylococcus aureus) whereas ciprofloxacin, ceftriaxone and gentamycin were the most effective antibiotics against the Gram negative isolate. On the contrary, chloramphenicol and nalidixic acid had the least sensitivities. A good hygienic administration and an excellent healthy management planning in laboratories can inhibit the dispersion of nosocomial pathogens in hospital environment.