Effectiveness of Sterilization of Uterine Sound Instrument among Selected Health Centers

Some microorganisms present in an instrument can be a source of bacterial infections due to improper handling that may carry an organism with it. Thus, it can compromise one’s health.  The main purpose of this study is to determine the number of aerobic microorganisms found in the uterine sound instruments used in intrauterine device insertion among three selected Barangay Health Centers in Iligan City before and after sterilization. A collection of six samples of the uterine sound instrument in three Health Centers were made, and these samples were cultured and tested for aerobic plate count through pour plate method. All samples yielded different numbers of bacterial colonies before and after sterilization. Both Health Centers 1 and 2 had an aerobic count of <100CFU*/instrument after sterilization in which no colonies was observed. On the other hand, Health Center 3 showed 130CFU/instrument after sterilization from 830CFU/instrument in which aerobic microorganisms were still present. Based on the findings of this study, the sterilization procedures of the three Health Centers were effective since these showed a decreased number of aerobic plate count after sterilization. However, it can be noted that Barangay Health Center 3 still had existing numbers of aerobic microorganisms after sterilization. Based on the findings, it is highly recommended that strict sterilization techniques should be employed on intrauterine device insertion instruments to avoid infection that may impose a threat to patients’ health.

 

Keywords: Aerobic microorganisms, colony-forming unit (CFU), sterilization, intrauterine device insertion, uterine sound instrument