Microbial Contamination of Healthcare Personnel and Devices: A Critical Route for Pathogen Transmission: Microbial Contamination of Healthcare Personnel and Devices for Pathogen Transmission

Hubza Ruatt Khan; Noor Muhammad; Aysha Tariq; Tehmina Bashir; Husna Jurrat; Mehvish Javeed; Asghar Javaid

doi:10.54393/pbmj.v8i7.1314

Authors

Hubza Ruatt Khan Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, The Women University, Multan, Pakistan
Noor Muhammad Department of Microbiology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
Aysha Tariq Department of Zoology, Government College University, Lahore, Pakistan
Tehmina Bashir Department of Botany, Government Graduate College, Lahore, Pakistan
Husna Jurrat Department of Zoology, Government College University, Lahore, Pakistan
Mehvish Javeed Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, The Women University, Multan, Pakistan
Asghar Javaid Department of Pathology, Nishtar Medical University, Multan, Pakistan

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.54393/pbmj.v8i7.1314

Keywords:

Antibiotic Resistance, Bacterial Isolation, Medical Staff, Microbial Interaction, Microbial Contamination

Abstract

Since healthcare workers are often exposed to pathogenic organisms, they can unintentionally transfer disease to patients, causing healthcare-associated infections (HAIs). Objectives: To isolate healthcare staff and their respective equipment to determine the level of contamination and the pattern of antibiotic resistance. Methods: A total of 153 samples were taken out of doctors (n=52), nurses (n=44), lab technicians (n=33), and ward boys (n=24) in Nishtar Hospital, Multan, in this cross-sectional study that was based on laboratory procedures. Hands, stethoscopes, and mobile phones were taken, cultured on selective medium, and identified to the level of genus. Antibiotic susceptibility was evaluated using the Kirby–Bauer disc diffusion method against piperacillin (100 µg), ciprofloxacin (5 µg), levofloxacin (5 µg), gentamicin (10 µg), and imipenem (10 µg). Data were analyzed using ANOVA at a 95% confidence level. Results: Out of 153 samples, 93 (60.13%) yielded positive bacterial cultures. The highest number of positive cultures was recorded among lab technicians (63.64%), followed by ward boys (62.50%), doctors (57.69%), and nursing staff (56.82%) (p<0.05). The most frequently isolated bacteria were Bacillus sp. (22.58%), Enterococcus sp. (19.35%), and Escherichia sp. (17.20%). Mobile phones (45.16%) showed the highest contamination, followed by hands (37.63%) and stethoscopes (35.48%). All Enterococcus isolates were 100% resistant to Piperacillin, while all Staphylococcus and Klebsiella isolates showed complete resistance to multiple antibiotics. Conclusions: Healthcare personnel and their commonly used devices act as reservoirs for multidrug-resistant bacteria. Strict adherence to infection control protocols and specialized training for healthcare staff are essential to minimize cross-contamination and prevent HAIs.

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