Investigating the Microbial Contamination of the Hands of Healthcare Staff and Medical Equipment in Different Wards of Hospital in Zahedan, Southeastern Iran

Leili  Mohammadi; Mojgan  Jahantigh; Aida  Azhdarimoghaddam; Mojdeh  Jahantigh

doi:10.18502/jmb.v13i2.18659

Leili Mohammadi Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine Research Center, Research Institute of Cellular and Molecular Sciences in Infectious Diseases, Zahedan University of Medical Sciences, Zahedan, Iran
Mojgan Jahantigh Department of Nursing, Community Nursing Research Center, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Zahedan University of Medical Sciences, Zahedan, Iran.
Aida Azhdarimoghaddam Student Research Committee, Zahedan University of Medical Sciences, Zahedan, Iran.
Mojdeh Jahantigh Cellular and Molecular Research Center, Research Institute of Cellular and Molecular Sciences in Infectious Diseases, Zahedan University of Medical Sciences, Zahedan, Iran

DOI: https://doi.org/10.18502/jmb.v13i2.18659

Keywords: Medical equipment, Microbial contamination, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus, Zahedan

Abstract

Background: Nosocomial infections are one of the serious problems in medical centres that can lead to the death of patients. Contamination of medical devices and surgical equipment is known as one of the main causes of the spread of these infections.

Methods: In this study, 442 medical and non-medical devices of Ali Ebne Abi Taleb Hospital in Zahedan) medical and non-medical devices that have more contact with the patient (were collected over two years and every month according to the schedule.

Results: The most contamination was related to the hands and nails of the personnel, where 26 cases were positive with coagulase-negative Staphylococcus. Then, suction with Pseudomonas aeruginosa contamination was positive in 15 cases, followed by stethoscope and sialic lamp in the operating room, each of which were positive in 11 cases. Staphylococcus was the most common organism in all departments and was isolated mostly from patients' beds, staff's hands and nails, and stethoscopes.

Conclusion: To reduce the level of contamination and prevent the spread of hospital infections, it is necessary to observe hygiene principles such as hand washing, regular disinfection of equipment, and use of standard guidelines to prevent infections.