Microbial Contamination of Healthcare Personnel and Devices: A Critical Route for Pathogen Transmission
Abstract
Since healthcare workers are often exposed to pathogenic organisms, they can unintentionally transfer disease to patients, causing healthcare-associated infections (HAIs). Objectives: To isolate healthcare staff and their respective equipment to determine the level of contamination and the pattern of antibiotic resistance. Methods: A total of 153 samples were taken out of doctors (n=52), nurses (n=44), lab technicians (n=33), and ward boys (n=24) in Nishtar Hospital, Multan, in this cross-sectional study that was based on laboratory procedures. Hands, stethoscopes, and mobile phones were taken, cultured on selective medium, and identified to the level of genus. Antibiotic susceptibility was evaluated using the Kirby–Bauer disc diffusion method against piperacillin (100 µg), ciprofloxacin (5 µg), levofloxacin (5 µg), gentamicin (10 µg), and imipenem (10 µg). Data were analyzed using ANOVA at a 95% confidence level. Results: Out of 153 samples, 93 (60.13%) yielded positive bacterial cultures. The highest number of positive cultures was recorded among lab technicians (63.64%), followed by ward boys (62.50%), doctors (57.69%), and nursing staff (56.82%) (p<0.05). The most frequently isolated bacteria were Bacillus sp. (22.58%), Enterococcus sp. (19.35%), and Escherichia sp. (17.20%). Mobile phones (45.16%) showed the highest contamination, followed by hands (37.63%) and stethoscopes (35.48%). All Enterococcus isolates were 100% resistant to Piperacillin, while all Staphylococcus…
How strong is the evidence?
Evidence Hub reads this as a cross-sectional, done in people. Its evidence level is 4 of 5 (Low · observational). Observational designs can show an association but not prove cause. Reported size: 52 participants or records.
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