Dr. Anant Bhosale, B18943, Dr. Karan A. K, Dr. Saravanan V R, Dr. Narendran V
MICROBIOLOGICAL ANALYSIS OF SWABS TAKEN FROM 20D and 90D LENSES, SLITLAMP & MOBILEPHONE IN RETINA OPD CUBICLES
In the hospital environment, surfaces with which hands come in contact are often contaminated with nosocomial pathogens, and these inanimate surfaces serve as fomites for cross-transmission. Numerous studies have shown that even a single incidence of hand contact with a contaminated surface results in pathogen transfer to other fomites and ultimately, to the patient. It has also been shown that transfer efficiencies are greater under high relative humidity (from both porous and nonporous surfaces).Compliance rates of healthcare workers with respect to hand hygiene are known to be around only 50 per cent. This is considerably complicated due to multiple surface contact during examination of the patient in any Out-Patient Department, but particularly so in tropical environments and in the context of high patient traffic. Under these circumstances the risk of microbial transfer from contaminated surfaces is potentially high. The most common contact surfaces in the OPD are the 20D Lens,90D Lens,and Slit-Lamp – which are the maximally touched areas during examination of a patient. Moreover, many an Ophthalmologist also uses his or her Mobile Phonein the OPD.To verify whether there is transfer of microbes from Mobile Phones onto the Lens or Slit-lamp surfaces, Three (3) Sterile Swab samples were taken from each 20D Lens , 90D Lens, the Slit-Lamp joystick, as well as from the rear of the Ophthalmologist’s Mobile Phone. Twelve (12) OPD cubicles were sampled.The Swabs were streaked ontoBlood Agar, Chocolate Agar and Potato Dextrose Agar petri-dishes. These were examined daily for up to 7 days.Anti-microbial susceptibility assayswere carried outby theKirby-Bauer method.
Results: Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) were isolated from Two (2)Mobile Phones.No fungal growth was seen from any of the samples.
Conclusion: Mobile Phones are possible agents of cross-infection.Thorough hand-washing and/ or alcohol hand-rub need to be performed between examinations of patientsto prevent cross-transmission.We conclude that commonly handled objects, which are bound to be microbiologically contaminated, can serve as reservoirs of bacteria, which can then easily be transferred to the hands through direct contact, and which in turn are transferred to the patient’s eye-lids or ocular surface. It is also strongly recommended that Mobile Phone usage be restricted during patient examination, and if possible a ‘floater’ nurse or technician (who is not involved in the examination process) is responsible for receiving or making calls.
Comments -name of authors and structuring of study?