The role of mobile phones in the spread of bacteria associated with nosocomial infections

Abstract

Background: We aimed to investigate bacterial contamination of the mobile phones of the healthcare personnel (HP) employed in a teaching hospital in Turkey.Methodology: Samples were collected from the mobile phones of 122 HP, of whom 39 were physicians, 50 nurses, 22 residents, and 11 interns.Results: Growth was observed in 111 out of 122 samples evaluated; however, bacteria that might be associated with hospital infection were isolated in only ten (9.0%) samples, four of which were Escherichia coli, two Enterococcus feacalis (Vancomycin-sensitive), two Pseudomonas aeruginosa, one Pseudomonas fluorescensis, and one Klebsiella pneumoniae. Neither MRSA nor vancomycin-resistant Enterococci were isolated from mobile phones in our study.Conclusions: Our study reveals that mobile phones of HP may get contaminated by bacteria (such as Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Klebsiella pneumoniae), which cause hospital infections, and may serve as a vehicle for the spread of nosocomial pathogens.

Keywords

• mobile phones
• hospital infections
• bacterial contamination
• healthcare personnel.