Microbial Growth Patterns on Medical Instruments: In Vitro Evaluation of Garlic Extract as a Growth Inhibitor

Sterilization of medical instruments is a critical step in reducing pathogen risks in hospitals. This study aims to analyze the growth of microorganisms on medical instruments in the Central Sterile Supply Department (CSSD) before and after the sterilization process. Factors such as temperature and humidity in the storage area are essential for maintaining medical instruments in a sterile condition. The microbiological testing methods employed include in vitro culture, microorganism identification through Gram staining, and automated identification systems using the Vitek 2 system. The results indicate that before sterilization, medical instruments identified Staphylococcus hominis ssp hominis (Gram-positive) with a probability of 99%, and Bacillus sp on instrument trays identified Pseudomonas stutzeri (Gram-negative) with a probability of 97%. After sterilization, during the storage period of 0, 10, 20, 30, 60, 90, and 120 days at temperatures ranging from 19.10°C to 21.49°C and humidity levels between 54% and 61%, Staphylococcus hominis ssp hominis with a probability of 97% was detected on small open instruments stored for 90 days. Garlic extract (Allium sativum) at a concentration of 75% demonstrated significant effectiveness in inhibiting the growth of Staphylococcus, with an inhibition zone of 30 mm. In conclusion, the sterilization process using enzymatic solutions and steam sterilization in CSSD is effective; however, pathogens such as Staphylococcus hominis ssp hominis and Pseudomonas stutzeri can still be detected. Garlic extract shows potential as a natural antibiotic that can aid in microbial control and enhance the safety of medical instrument use.