PENGARUH DIFFUSER EKSTRAK DAUN JERUK PURUT (Citrus hystrix) TERHADAP PERTUMBUHAN BAKTERI UDARA DI RUANG RAWAT INAP KELAS III

Background: Nosocomial infections, especially those caused by Methicillin- Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). The percentage of hospital nosocomial infections in the world reaches 9% (variation 3-21%) or more than 1.4 million hospitalized patients. A WHO study showed 8.7% of 55 hospitals from 14 countries
in Europe, the Middle East, Southeast Asia and the Pacific showed nosocomial infections, and in Southeast Asia as much as 10%. Extraction of kaffir lime leaves (Citrus hystrix) using Microwave hydrodistillation (MHD) method as a humidifier with ultrasonic diffuser. Kaffir lime leaf essential oil has the potential to inhibit bacterial growth. Objective: To determine the effect of kaffir lime leaf extract diffuser (Citrus hystrix) on the growth of airborne bacteria in class III inpatient rooms. Method: This study used an experimental pre-post test only group design with 16 sample groups, concentration variations of 15%, 20%, 25%, and 30%, and exposure times of 0, 55, 110, and 165 minutes. Data were analyzed using repeated ANOVA. Result: The results of repeated ANOVA test showed a significant effect on the number of airborne bacterial colonies. Post Hoc Bonferroni test identified the combination of 25% concentration and 165 minutes exposure time as the most effective in reducing the number of airborne bacterial colonies. Conclusion: There is an effect of kaffir lime leaf extract diffuser (Citrus hystrix) on the growth of air bacteria in class III inpatient rooms.