Bacteriological Study of Flora Harboured by Mobile Phones of Health Care Personnel at Tertiary Care Hospital, Aurangabad

Background: Despite advancements in contemporary detection and treatment, hospital-acquired infections remain a major issue for international health systems.Potential infections can be found on healthcare personnel's mobile phones.Despite the considerable risk of contamination, cell phones are rarely sanitized and are frequently handled without properly washing hands before or after patient examinations and specimen processing.This study aimed to separate, characterize, and quantify the various kinds of bacteria and their susceptibility to antibiotics from the mobile phones of both healthcare and non-healthcare personnel.Methods: Samples were taken aseptically by rolling over the exposed surfaces of the inoculated mobile phones on the agar plates, which were subsequently incubated aerobically.After incubation, the plates were examined for growth.Following accepted microbiological practices, bacteria were discovered and antibiotic sensitivity was assessed.Results: Out of 50 mobile swabs of each category, 58% of samples were culture-positive in healthcare workers (HCW) and 20% in non-healthcare workers.The most common pathogen isolated was Staphylococcus aureus i.e. 23(46%).Out of 23, (5) were MRSA and (18) were MSSA.MRSA isolation, in doctors 2(7.6%), 2(12.5%) in nurses and 1(12.5%) in ward boy.According to our research, healthcare workers' mobile phones have unquestionably been colonized by microorganisms.It can transmit not just messages but also microorganisms that cause illness.Conclusion: Therefore, the study highlights the necessity of reducing the spread of infection via cell phone use by adhering to stringent hand hygiene guidelines and refraining from using cell phones when providing patient care or performing therapeutic operations.Using additional disinfectants or 70% isopropyl alcohol, disinfect it.