Which Micro-Organisms are Transferred by Healthcare Personnel Between Hospital and Home?

Introduction: The most important factor in the spread of hospital infections is the hands of healthcare personnel. The aim of ths study was to determine which micro-organisms are transferred from home to hospital, and which from hospital to home, by the hands of healthcare personnel. Material and Methods: The sample universe of this research was the healthcare personnel in a tertiary level public hospital. A total of 10 doctors and 53 nurses, selected at random according to the clinics where they worked, were included. The study data were collected in two stages. In the first stage, the study participants completed a personal information form. In the second stage, samples were taken from the right and left hands of the healthcare personnel on entering and leaving the hospital. The samples were isolated and seeded in culture media. Bacteria identification and antibiotic sensitivity were determined using a BD Phoenix 100 automated system. Results: According to the samples taken, there was determined to be greater bacteria production on the hands of the healthcare personnel when entering the hospital. The greatest production was in the least washed area of the right hand (93.7% on entry, 74.6% on exit). Nurses and those working in surgical clinics were seen to have greater bacteria production on both entry to and exit from the hospital compared to other healthcare workers. The bacteria most produced were MSSE, Micrococcus, Staphylococcus strains, Streptococcus strains and MRSE. In the examination of antibiotic sensitivity, the antibiotics to which the produced bacteria were most sensitive were amikacin, ciprofloxacin, daptomycin, gentamicin levoflaxocin, teicoplanin, linezolid teicoplanin, trimetoprim/sulfamethoxazole and vancomycin. Conclusion: The study results showed that just as healthcare personnel transferred some micro-organisms from home to hospital on their hands, they also transferred some bacteria to home on leaving the hospital. This is of great importance in respect of the spread of hospital infections. With the necessary precautions taken to prevent the transfer of micro-organisms to or from hospital, the prevalence of hospital infections will decrease. Keywords: Healthcare personnel, Micro-organisms, Antibiotic resistance, Hand DOI: 10.7176/JHMN/110-04 Publication date: August 31 st 2023