Comparação da qualidade de dietas distribuídas em seringas e frascos e seu custo em um lactário de um instituto nacional de saúde

Introduction: Healthcare-associated infections are considered a serious public health issue. When caring for newborns admitted to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, the administration of a diet contaminated with pathogenic microorganisms can help spread infections. Objective: To compare the cost and microbiological quality of the diet offered in syringes and bottles by the lactator for enteral administration to patients admitted to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). Methods: An exploratory experimental study “in loco” carried out between January and May 2019, consisting of the microbiological analysis of 72 samples of enteral diets and pasteurized donor human milk (PDHM) distributed in syringes and bottles. The microbiological parameters used were those of the Board of Health Collegiate Resolution No. 63/2000 and No. 171/2006. The microbiological quality of the water used in the reconstitution of the enteral diet; the swab of the manipulators’ hands and oropharynx; surfaces such as benches and equipment, utensils, and the air quality of the areas for diet preparation were also assessed. The critical control points of the diet manipulation flowcharts reviewed were defined. Results: In the enteral diet samples, coliforms at 35˚C and mesophilic aerobic microorganisms above the established standards levels were found in both modalities of the diet administration (bottle and syringe) during two days of collection (lots). In the LHOP samples, no microorganisms from the coliform group were found. When filling plastic bottles, mesophilic bacteria exceeding the established standards were detected. It was observed that the cost of distributing the diet in bottles was higher than that of using a syringe. Conclusion: It was found that the microbiological quality of the diets supplied in syringes was safer than that of the diets distributed in bottles. In addition, the diet infusion time was shorter and cost was lower with the use of the syringe.