Study of bacteriological profile of mobiles - a gateway of infection in hospitals

Introduction: In the past few years mobile phones have become indispensable part of communication not only among common people but also among doctors and other Health care workers (HCW) in hospitals. Mobile phones are rarely disinfected and as a result devices have potential for contamination with various bacterial agents and leads to hospital associated infection and becomes gateway of infection in hospitals. Aims and Objective: To study Bacteriological profile of surface of mobile phones used in hospitals and knowledge, attitude & practice (KAP) study was done to know educational status of health care workers about use of mobile phones. Methodology: This was hospital based cross-sectional study on 200 subjects using mobile phones in tertiary level hospital. Set predesigned questionnaires were filled by HCW. Swab samples were taken from surface of mobile phones and microbial flora were detected by standard methods. Result: Out of 200 samples, amongst pathogenic microorganism Citrobacter -50 (25%), Staphylococcus aureus - 23 (11.5%), Pseudomonas spp. -5 (2.5%), Klebsiella spp. - 2 (1%), Escherichia coli - 1 (0.5%), Acinetobacter spp. -1 (0.5%) were isolated in culture and in 12.5% cases Polymicrobial infection was seen. Conclusion: There is recommendation of restricted use of mobile phones in high risk areas of hospitals. HCW should keep their mobile phones in sterilised bags for emergency use and regular cleaning of mobile phones with disinfectants is recommended.