Nosocomial Hazards of Doctor`s Mobile Phones in Hospitals

Abstract

A microbiological analysis of 75 doctor`s mobile phones was carried out in Amravati city. A total of 90 bacterial pathogens were isolated, Staphylococcus aureus 18 (20%) was prominent followed by Micrococcus luteus 16 (18%), Pseudomonas aeruginosa 14 (15%), Proteus mirabilis 10 (11%), Escherichia coli 10 (11%), Klebsiella pneumoniae 9 (10%), Enterobacter aerogenes 8 (9%) and Salmonella typhi 5 (5%). The male doctor`s mobile phones were more (69%) contaminated as compared to female doctor`s phones (31%). The study demonstrates that mobile phone in a clinical setting become contaminated by contact with healthcare workers` hands (HCWs`) and acts as potential source to spread infection is an important argument in any debate, in which the relaxation of restrictions on its use is being considered.