IOM gains UKAS accreditation for airborne microbiological organism sampling in hospitals
IOM Consulting has gained UKAS accreditation for sampling airborne microbiological organisms in hospital operating theatre suites and hospital sterile service clean rooms.
Sampling is carried out using Casella airborne bacteria samplers (ABS). These are often referred to as Casella Slit samplers and have the advantage of sampling a large volume of air in a short period of time allowing multiple Tryptone Soya Agar plates to be exposed in each location enabling clients to have high confidence in results.
In order to offer this service the subsequent determination of colony forming units is carried out by a UKAS accredited testing laboratory. Using a two stage 48 hour incubation period with differing temperatures both bacteria and moulds can be enumerated
Using this technique IOM provide a quick turn around of results for clients who need to know if their theatres are within HTM03-01 guidance limits of not exceeding ten bacterial and/or fungal colony forming units per cubic meter (CFU/m3) for Aerobic cultures on non-selective media.