scholarly journals Pathogenic microbes contaminating mobile phones in hospital environment in Northeast India: incidence and antibiotic resistance

2019 ◽  
Vol 47 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Christine Vanlalbiakdiki Sailo ◽  
Puja Pandey ◽  
Subhajit Mukherjee ◽  
Zothan Zami ◽  
Ralte Lalremruata ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Mobile Phones ◽  
Health Care Workers ◽  
Drug Susceptibility ◽  
Cefuroxime Axetil ◽  
Hospital Environment ◽  
Gram Positive ◽  
Gram Negative ◽  
Care Workers ◽  
Gram Negative Organisms

Abstract Background The present study attempts to identify and determine the pattern of drug susceptibility of the microorganisms present in mobile phones of health care workers (HCWs) and non-HCWs in a hospital environment. Mobile phones of 100 participants including both genders were randomly swabbed from nine different wards/units and the bacterial cultures were characterized using VITEK 2 system. Results Forty-seven mobile phones were culture positive and a total of 57 isolates were obtained which consisted of 28 Gram-positive organisms and 29 Gram-negative organisms. The predominating organisms were Acinetobacter baumannii and Staphylococcus hominis. Among all the isolates from the mobile phones of HCW and non-HCWs, five isolates had ESBL and three isolates had colistin resistance. Incidentally, MRSA was not found on the mobile phones tested. The isolated organisms showed 100% susceptibility to linezolid, daptomycin, vancomycin, imipenem, meropenem, gentamicin, amikacin, ciprofloxacin and tigecycline, while high resistance was shown against benzylpenicillin (75.0%), cefuroxime and cefuroxime axetil (56.5%). Non-HCWs’ mobile phones were more contaminated as compared to HCWs (P = 0.001) and irrespective of individuals’ gender or toilet habits, both Gram-positive and Gram-negative organisms were present on the mobile phones. Conclusion This study reports for the first time that the mobile phones of non-health care workers harbour more bacterial diversity and are more prone to cause transmission of pathogens. This study can serve to educate the public on personal hand hygiene practices and on maintaining clean mobile phones through antiseptic measures.

Knowledge and Practice of Health-care Workers regarding Hand Hygiene during Third Wave of COVID-19

2021 ◽  
Vol 15 (6) ◽  
pp. 1198-1202
Author(s):  
M.l Fatima ◽  
M. Waqar ◽  
H. Qamar ◽  
M. Akram ◽  
F. Zia ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Hand Hygiene ◽  
Health Care Workers ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Preventive Measure ◽  
Hospital Environment ◽  
Third Wave ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Care Workers ◽  
Hygiene Measures

Background: Iatrogenic and nosocomial infections are a serious threat to a healthcare setting especially during a pandemic. Hand hygiene among the health-care workers stands out to be a pivotal preventive measure. Practical application of hand hygiene measures during third wave of COVID-19 pandemic primarily depend upon the current knowledge among the health care workers. Methods: A cross-sectional study design based on validated WHO questionnaire for hand hygiene among the health care workers was conducted during March till May2021 in the settings of Shalamar and Central Park hospital and medical colleges. Results: The sample consisted of 271 participants with 110 males and 161 females, with the mean age of 24.72+ 4.174 years. The sample consisted of 36.2% of medical students, 49.1% of doctors and 14.8% of paramedical staff. Nearly 50.6% of the individuals claim to receive formal training. 47.6% believe that “Health-care workers’ hands when not clean” are the main route of cross-transmission. Nearly 57.2% believed that the hospital environment (surfaces)the most frequent source of germs. Comparison of hand-rubbing and washing revealed that major percentage believe hand rub to be rapid however less effective causing dryness. A majority believe that hand hygiene before touching the patient, immediately after exposure to body fluids or immediate surroundings of patients prevents transmission of germs to the patient and vice versa afterwards prevents transmission to HCW. Conclusion: A large proportion of the sample has considerable knowledge regarding essential hand hygiene in a health care setting. However more frequent training sessions should be conducted to improve it further. Key words: Hand hygiene, Health-care workers, Knowledge

scholarly journals Are mobile phones of health care workers portals of pathogenic organisms causing hospital acquired infections in intensive care units? A mini systematic review

2020 ◽  
Vol 47 (3) ◽  
pp. 207-214
Author(s):  
M. Mukhtar-Yola ◽  
B. Andrew
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Intensive Care ◽  
Intensive Care Units ◽  
Mobile Phones ◽  
Health Care Workers ◽  
Pathogenic Bacteria ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Hospital Acquired Infections ◽  
Care Workers ◽  
Hospital Acquired

Background: Health care workers at the bedside of critically ill babies freely carry their mobile phones in between procedures and handling  patients. Concerns are rising as this may contribute to nosocomial infections with pathogenic bacteria. Aim: To determine if mobile phones of health care workers in Intensive care units carry potentially pathogenic bacteria leading to hospital acquired infections. Design: Systematic review.Data sources: Electronic databases (Medline via ovid, CINAHL, Web of science) and hand Searching of references and citations were done to identify studies. Screening and inclusion criteria were used to identify studies with a cross-sectional or cohort design. The search was limited to journal articles published between 2008-2015 and to English language. Quality assessment was done using the National Institute of Health tool for observational studies. Data was extracted on to excel sheets and analysed using SPSS version 22.Results: Six studies with a cohort (1) or cross-sectional design (5) involving 1, 131 health care workers were reviewed. The overall quality of the studies was fair, and a narrative synthesis was done. The colonization rate of the mobile phones ranged between 46.3 % and a 100% with 13-50% carrying potentially pathogenic multidrug resistant microorganisms. Methicillin resistant staphylococcus aureus, Vancomycine resistant enterococci, acinobacter and coagulase negative staphylococci were reported across all studies and were recognized as leading causes of morbidity and mortalityin the ICU. Conclusion: Mobile phones Of HCW are portals of potentially pathogenic microorganisms, which could result in morbidity and mortality.Although no causal relationship could be established, strong associations have been reported. Guidelines by hospital infection control committees are needed on restriction, care and routine cleaning of mobile phones as well as further research. Key words: Health care worker, Intensive care unit, Hospital Acquired Infections, mobile phones

Healthcare Workers’ Mobile Phones as a Possible Vehicle of Nosocomial Pathogens and the Role of Different Disinfectants in their Decontamination

2021 ◽  
Vol 30 (3) ◽  
pp. 29-36
Author(s):  
Rana E. Elgabeery ◽  
Radwa A. Eissa ◽  
Sohair M. Soliman ◽  
Naglaa F. Ghoname
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Mobile Phones ◽  
Health Care Workers ◽  
Healthcare Workers ◽  
Colony Count ◽  
Drug Resistant ◽  
University Hospitals ◽  
Care Workers ◽  
Before And After

Background: As Mobile Phones (MPs) aren’t cleaned routinely and have been touched during patient’s examination, they may become contaminated with hospital pathogens. Objectives: Screen MPs of Health care workers (HCWs) for pathogens and verify the effect of disinfectants in their decontamination. Methods: A questionnaire was submitted by 160 HCWs in Tanta University Hospitals. Samples were taken from their MPs and subjected to pour plate counting before and after disinfection. Standard identification and antibiotic susceptibility of isolates were done. Results: Colony count was greater in MPs used while caring for patients or inside restroom, and was less in regularly cleaned MPs. All tested disinfectants reduced the colony count significantly. Pathogens were isolated from 84.38% of samples and 36.25% of them were Multi-Drug Resistant Organisms (MDROs). Conclusion: Using MPs at critical care areas and restroom may contribute to their contamination with pathogens. Regular disinfection of MPs can reduce this contamination.

Allergic Contact Dermatitis to Medical Equipment in a Non-Health Care Worker Caring for a Disabled Spouse

2013 ◽  
Vol 17 (3) ◽  
pp. 207-211
Author(s):  
Ilya Shoimer ◽  
Melanie Pratt
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Contact Dermatitis ◽  
Allergic Contact Dermatitis ◽  
Health Care Workers ◽  
Medical Equipment ◽  
Hospital Environment ◽  
Care Workers ◽  
Allergic Contact ◽  
Care Worker ◽  
Rubber Accelerators

Background: Allergic contact dermatitis (ACD) to rubber accelerators is a common occurrence, especially in health care workers, but the risks in family caregivers are not as well documented. Objective: To document a case of a 66-year-old woman who developed recurrent, extensive flares of ACD from contact with rubber accelerators through caregiving. Method and Results: Patch testing revealed a positive reaction to two common rubber accelerators: carba mix (3+) and thiuram mix (3+). The patient described caring for her disabled husband, which involved handling rubberized medical equipment. Conclusion: Physicians should appreciate ACD in non-health care workers caused by rubber accelerators found in medical equipment. Individuals providing care for sick or elderly relatives should be further questioned on exposure to a hospital environment and contact with medical equipment.

scholarly journals FluMob: Enabling Surveillance of Acute Respiratory Infections in Health-care Workers via Mobile Phones

2017 ◽  
Vol 5 ◽  
Author(s):  
May Oo Lwin ◽  
Chee Fu Yung ◽  
Peiling Yap ◽  
Karthikayen Jayasundar ◽  
Anita Sheldenkar ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Mobile Phones ◽  
Health Care Workers ◽  
Respiratory Infections ◽  
Acute Respiratory Infections ◽  
Care Workers

Indications for Alcohol or Bland Soap in Removal of Aerobic Gram-Negative Skin Bacteria: Assessment by a Novel Method

1989 ◽  
Vol 10 (7) ◽  
pp. 306-311 ◽  
Author(s):  
Debra G. Eckert ◽  
N. Joel Ehrenkranz ◽  
Blanca C. Alfonso
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Health Care Workers ◽  
Complete Removal ◽  
Contact Model ◽  
Patient Contact ◽  
Gram Negative ◽  
High Burden ◽  
Skin Bacteria ◽  
Care Workers ◽  
Novel Method

AbstractA patient contact model was devised for health care workers (HCWs) to define heavy hand contamination with aerobic gram-negative bacilli (AGNB) that requires alcohol for complete removal. In patients, AGNB quantitation was per ml cup scrub fluid; in HCWs, per ml glove juice. Following 15-second contact, two Proteeae groin carriers yielding ≥ 4 log10AGNB (high burden) transmitted ≥ 3 log10in 67% of 24 tests of six HCWs, and ≤ 2 log10in 29%. Two carriers yielding ≤ 3 log10(low burden) transmitted ≥ 3 log10in 8% and ≤ 2 log10in 38%. At ≤ 2 log10HCW acquisitions, soap eliminated all AGNB in six of seven tests; alcohol in nine of nine (p > 0.05). At ≥ 3 log10acquisitions, soap eliminated all AGNB in three of 10; alcohol in eight of eight Contacteight (p= 0.009). Contact with densely colonized patient skin may cause heavy AGNB contamination of HCWs' hands that generally necessitates alcohol for complete removal.

The Use of Mobile Phones for Frontline Health-Care Workers to Manage Depression

2021 ◽  
pp. 501-517
Author(s):  
Christine W. Musyimi ◽  
Yihuan Lai ◽  
Victoria N. Mutiso ◽  
David Ndetei
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Mobile Phones ◽  
Health Care Workers ◽  
Care Workers
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