BACTERIAL CONTAMINATION OF FLOWER BOUQUETS IN MATERNITY AND SURGICAL WARDS IN PALESTINIAN HOSPITALS: A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY
Date
2026-05-12
Authors
Amira Khallaf
Maya Awawdeh
Osaid Badran
Ahmed Kamal
Ibrahim Awad
Salah Al Jubeh
Saleh Abu Shama
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Deanship of Scientific Research - Al-Quds University
Abstract
Background: Healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) remain a significant cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide, frequently associated with environmental reservoirs of multidrug-resistant organisms (MDROs). While infection prevention efforts primarily focus on medical equipment and high-touch surfaces, non-medical items such as flower bouquets are commonly present in patient care environments yet remain largely overlooked as potential sources of contamination.
Objective: To characterize bacterial contamination of flower bouquets in hospital wards and evaluate their potential role as reservoirs of clinically relevant and antibiotic-resistant pathogens.
Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 48 flower bouquet samples collected aseptically from maternity and surgical wards at Al-Ahli Hospital and the Palestine Red Crescent Hospital. Samples, including leaves and roots, were cultured on MacConkey and blood agar and incubated at 37°C for 24 hours. Bacterial identification and antimicrobial susceptibility testing were performed using the VITEK system and confirmed by standard biochemical methods and Kirby–Bauer disk diffusion, following established microbiological protocols.