Evaluation of microbial contamination in medical objects: A prospective observational cross-sectional study

Abstract

Introduction: Healthcare-related infections (HCIs) include those that can be acquired as a result of any health care provided and may be caused by microorganisms present in various personal items of professionals during the provision of health care. The strains of microorganisms found in these personal items have shown high pathogenicity, ease of cross-transmission, and a reduced profile of sensitivity to different antibiotics. Objective: This study sought to assess the microbial contamination of lab coats and stethoscopes by health professionals at a private hospital in Sao Jose do Rio Preto-Sao Paulo, as well as bacterial resistance to antibiotics. This was done due to the complexity of bacterial resistance in the management of nosocomial infections. Methods: The method in which the samples were collected by swab, transferred to BHI broth for 24 hours at 370C, and sown on Mannitol, MacConkey, and Sabouraud. Bacteria with different morphologies were selected from Mannitol and MacConkey for the antibiotic sensitivity test. Bacteria with different morphologies were selected from Mannitol and MacConkey for the antibiotic susceptibility test. Results: The following microbes have been present in the objects: Staphylococcus aureus (48%), coagulase-negative Staphylococcus (37%), bacilli (7%), and Enterococcus sp and yeast fungi (4%). Regarding bacterial resistance to antibiotics, 92% of the bacteria were resistant to penicillin, 65% to erythromycin, 35% to oxacillin, 19% to norfloxacin, 19% to vancomycin, and 4% to gentamicin. Conclusion: This study consolidates to foster a widespread discussion about the role of lab coats and stethoscopes in the propagation of intra-hospital microorganisms to a community and from patient to patient. It has been found that the stethoscopes and lab coats of all health professionals contained microbial contamination, in addition to some multi-resistant antibiotic strains.