COMPARISON OF EFFICIENCY OF EPIMAX S AND EPIMAX SC DISINFECTANTSON BACTERIA CAUSING INFECTIONS IN INTENSIVE CAREUNITS

Nosocomial infections cause death, increase costs and the patient’s length of
stay in hospital. Proper use of disinfectants and anti-septics have an important role in reducing
infections. The aim of this study was the evaluation of efficacy of Epimax S and Epimax SC
disinfectants in intensive care units (ICU) of Urmia Imam Khomeini Hospital.
Materials & Methods: In Thiscross-sectionalstudy, 672 samples were collected from different
surfaces and medical equipments of intensive care units before and after disinfections. Cultured
samples were identified using differentiation and biochemical standard methods. The results were
analyzed using SPSS and Excel softwares.
Result:Culture results of samples prior to disinfection of surfaces and equipment, showed that
Contamination of the samples to different bacterial strains in intensive care units including 40%
Staphylococcus saprophyticus, 29.2% Staphylococcus aureus, 18.17% Klebsiella, 6.17% E. coli,
4.34%, Staphylococcus epidermidis, and 2.17% Proteus. Laboratory studies showed that all the strains
present in the samples are destroyed after disinfection by Epimax S with a concentration of 3% and
contact time of 30 minutes, while Klebsiella was able to grow after disinfection with a concentration
of 2% Epimax SC (recommended maximum concentration by manufacturer) and contact time of 30
minutes.
Conclusion: There are significant difference between Epimax S and Epimax SC in hospital infection.
According to the results, Epimax S of 3% with contact time of 30 minutes recommended control for
prevention of nosocomial infections, especially in the intensive care unit, compared to Epimax SC .It
is recommended that proper selection of disinfectants and disinfection procedures, elimination of
environmental reservoirs of infection and the patients talent and experience at risk for nosocomial
infections are evaluated for the prevention and control of hospital infections.Environmental health
principles continuing education of hospital staff should be one of the operational programs of hospital
infection control committee