MICROBIOLOGICAL ASSESSMENT OF USED NEEDLES FROM SICK BAY AND IT'S DUMP SITE

Needles are indispensable tools in modern medical practices, used across a wide range of procedures such as administering medications, drawing blood, and performing diagnostic tests. These instruments, typically designed for single use, play a crucial role in ensuring patient care is safe and effective. However, once needles are used, they transform from essential medical devices into hazardous waste that requires proper handling and disposal to prevent harm. Despite global efforts to control biomedical waste management, improper disposal of used needles continues to be a critical issue in many healthcare facilities worldwide. Biomedical waste management, particularly regarding needles and other sharps, is crucial in preventing the spread of infections, especially in healthcare settings where these materials are regularly used. The aim of this study is to investigate the microbial contamination of used needles from sick bays and dump sites, identifying the potential health risks and proposing better disposal methods. To isolate and identify microbial contaminants from used needles in sick bays and dump sites. The analysis of microbial loads from soil and used needles collected from private and general hospitals showed that the total colony-forming units (CFUs) were recorded per gram of soil and per needle. Soil samples from general hospitals had a significantly higher microbial load (2.5 x 10^6 CFU/g) compared to those from private hospitals (1.2 x 10^5 CFU/g). Similarly, used needles from general hospitals (2.1 x 10^4 CFU/needle) contained more bacteria than needles from private hospitals (8.5 x 10^3 CFU/needle). Soil from private hospitals predominantly contained B a c i l l u s s p p. (60%) and S t a p h y l o c o c c u s e p i d e r m i d i s (30%), with E . c o l i making up 10% of the isolates. In contrast, needles from private hospitals harboredS t a p h y l o c o c c u s a u r e u s (50%),E . c o l i (30%), and P s e u d o m o n a s a e r u g i n o s a (20%). Soil from general hospitals showed a diverse microbial population, dominated by E n t e r o b a c t e r s p p. (40%), K l e b s i e l l a p n e u m o n i a e (35%), and S a l m o n e l l a s p p. (25%). Needles from general hospitals were largely contaminated with S t a p h y l o c o c c u s a u r e u s (60%) alongside E n t e r o b a c t e r c l o a c a e (20%) andK l e b s i e l l a p n e u m o n i a e (20%). The most common microbial isolates found in the study includedB a c i l l u s s p p . ,S t a p h y l o c o c c u s a u r e u s, E . c o l i, E n t e r o b a c t e r s p p . , andK l e b s i e l l a p n e u m o n i a e. A striking observation was that general hospitals not only had a higher microbial load but also demonstrated a greater diversity of isolates, including pathogenic species such as S a l m o n e l l a s p p . and K l e b s i e l l a p n e u m o n i a e