Reducing Cost by Reducing Frequency of Submitting to Identify Microorganisms Isolated from Non-critical Areas in a Parenteral Manufacture

Abstract

A microbiology laboratory identifies all the microorganisms isolated from non-critical rooms with a frequency of every three months, in order to establish a microbial profile of the microorganisms present in the areas. The purpose of the project is to reduce costs by 50% by decreasing the frequency to biannual. Identifying each microorganism using the MicroSEQ has a cost of $86.18. Data from March, June, September, and December 2019 were evaluated. The data identified 305 microorganisms, which represented a cost to the laboratory of $26,284.90. The most common microorganisms in those months were Micrococcus luteus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Staphylococcus capitis, Staphylococcus haemolyticus, and Staphylococcus hominis. By obtaining similar microorganisms each month, a reduction in frequency, every six months instead of every three months, can be recommended without damaging the areas’ microbial profile. The reduction of these annual expenses can give more visibility to the laboratory as well as more competitiveness for new projects. Key terms ⎯ cost reduction, environmental monitoring, manufacture rooms, microbiology