Abstract

MOBILE PHONES: POTENTIAL VECTOR FOR NOSOCOMIAL INFECTION

Dr. Surender Kaur*, Dr. Abhijit Awari

Abstract

Background and Objectives: Mobile phone is indispensible accessories of our life. However, cell phones which are seldom cleaned and often touched during or after the examination of patients without hand washing can be substrate pathogens and become an exogenous source of nosocomial infections among hospitalized patients. These can harbor various potential pathogens and become an exogenous source of nosocomial infections. Materials and Methods: 200 samples from touch and non-touch mobiles of health care workers were collected and subjected to culture and sensitivity as per the standard guidelines. Results: Out of 200 isolates, 80.5% showed growth predominately on Keypad mobiles. The most common organism colonized on Keypad mobiles were Coagulase-negative staphylococcus in 45.0% and 38.5% on Touch screen mobiles. 6.5% MRSA were detected only on Keypad mobiles. Conclusion: Colonization was predominately seen in keypad mobiles of Healthcare persons.

Keywords: Healthcare persons, Nosocomial.