A study on the bio-burden of doctors' and other health care workers' hands, stethoscopes and other medical devices in a Sri Lankan set up - Potential risk of nosocomial infections?

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Date

2003

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Sri Lanka College of Microbiologists

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To assess the potential risk of nosocomial infection DESIGN: Descriptive, prospective controlled study over a period of 17 days in November 2002. SETTING: Special care baby unit, labour room, surgical wards 1 and 2. theatre and the intensive care unit of the Teaching Hospital, Ragama. METHODS: Thirty hand imprints including 13 doctors, 17 other health care workers and 85 swabs from 6 stethescopes and 31 medical equipment were taken randomly. Six health care workers and 3 stethoscopes were included for a control study. Cultures were identified and antibiotic sensitivity tests were performed. RESULTS: 97% (29/30) of hand imprints were contaminated. The main pathogen isolated was Staphylococcus aureus (43%). 60% of Staphylococcus aureus strains were methicillin resistant (MRSA) and 33% of MRS A were also resistant to Vancomycin. Vancomycin resistance needs confirmation. There were Klebsiella spp, E. coli and other coliforms in 27%, Pseudomonas spp in 13% and Candida spp in 3%. 73 % (51/85) of equipment were contaminated. There were Staphylococcus aureus in 29%, E. coli, Klebsiella species and other coliforms in 22%, Pseudomonas species in 13%, arid Candida species in 1%. Of the stethescopes. 33% of bells and diaphragms had Staphylococcus aureus. There was complete elimination of organisms from both hands and stethoscopes of the control following the useof4%hibitane CONCLUSION: This study clearly demonstrates the burden of bacterial contamination among hands of healthcare workers in Sri Lanka.

Description

Oral Presentation (OP 02) The bulletin of the Sri Lanka College of Microbiologists, 19th-21st August 2003, Colombo

Keywords

nosocomial infections

Citation

The Bulletin of the Sri Lanka College of Microbiologists. 2003; 01(1): 18

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