Application Research
QIN Ya-ling, WU Hao, LI Yan, ZHOU Xue-mei, WU Lei, ZHENG Xiao-ling, WANG Qian, LAN Guang, ZHANG Xin-xin, SHEN Tian-zhanhong, DUAN Hong-yang, SHEN Jin
Objective To investigate the status of disinfection and infection prevention and control management in funeral places, as well as the microbial contamination status, and to analyze the impact of IPC management on microbial contamination in funeral places. Methods By employing a questionnaire survey method, 19 funeral places were randomly selected from six provinces (municipalities) across the country to investigate the status of infection prevention and control as well as disinfection-related work. Simultaneously, on-site sampling and microbial testing were conducted to determine the total bacterial colony counts on surfaces of makeup and cosmetic tools, cremator buttons, and surfaces in contact with cadavers within these facilities. Furthermore, influencing factors of environmental microbial contamination were analyzed. Results The implementation rate of infection control knowledge training was relatively low (31.58%). The implementation rates of management measures in funeral places were relatively high for the following items: having established disinfection related regulations or protocols (68.42%), regularly inspecting the implementation of disinfection (63.16%), and strictly performing object surface disinfection according to the scope specified by the standards (57.89%). A total of 466 surface samples were collected on-site, among which 79.61% had a total bacterial colony count of ≤300 cfu/25 cm2. The qualification rates for surface samples in large, medium, and small funeral service facilities were 72.85%, 71.97%, and 92.40%, respectively, with small facilities showing a higher qualification rate ($\chi$2=25.385, P<0.05). Among various types of surface samples, faucets had the lowest qualification rate (48.57%), while cremator buttons had the highest rate (100.00%). The qualification rates for embalming equipment and door handles in makeup rooms were relatively low, at 56.00% and 64.29%, respectively. Conclusion The microbial contamination levels on surfaces of faucets and embalming instruments within funeral homes are relatively serious, and the implementation rate of comprehensive disinfection coverage on object surfaces should be improved.