Back to basic: bio-burden on hands of health care personnel in tertiary teaching hospital in Malaysia.
Hands of Health Care Personnel (HCP) are one of the most common vehicles for the transmission of infection. Microorganisms can survive well on the hands of HCP for a certain duration. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to bring awareness to HCP that their hands can actually be contaminated with many microorganisms. These microbes on the hands of HCP can potentially infect their patients if they do not comply with the proper hand hygiene practice. This cross-sectional study was conducted at a randomly selected Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and general ward in a hospital. Twenty five HCP from each ward were randomly selected and their hands were imprinted on blood culture plates. Microorganism growth were quantified and identified. Data were analyzed and presented as descriptive analysis. One hundred blood agar plates were processed and analyzed. Majority (71%) of the samples had more than 50 colony-forming units (CFU) and only 17% of the samples had less than 25 CFU. Microorganisms identified include Staphylococcus spp., Acinetobacter spp., Enterobacteriaceae, Pseudomonas spp., Moraxella, Delftiaacidovorans and fungi. All isolated microorganisms were antibiotic sensitive strain. This study showed that the hands of HCP were contaminated with many microorganisms. Therefore, it is imperative that HCP must practice proper hand hygiene when taking care of their patients in the wards.
Department of Medical Microbiology and Parasitology, School of Medical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Kubang Kerian, Kelantan.
J L
JL
Wong
Unit of Biostatistics and Research Methodology, School of Medical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Kubang Kerian, Kelantan.
A H
AH
Siti Azrin
Unit of Infection Control and Hospital Epidemiology, Hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia.
M I
MI
Narizan
Unit of Infection Control and Hospital Epidemiology, Hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia.
Y
Y
Norliah
Unit of Infection Control and Hospital Epidemiology, Hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia.
M
M
Noraida
Department of Medical Microbiology and Parasitology, School of Medical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Kubang Kerian, Kelantan.
A
A
Amanina
Department of Medical Microbiology and Parasitology, School of Medical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Kubang Kerian, Kelantan.
I
I
Nabilah
Department of Medical Microbiology and Parasitology, School of Medical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Kubang Kerian, Kelantan.
H
H
Habsah
Department of Medical Microbiology and Parasitology, School of Medical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Kubang Kerian, Kelantan.
H
H
Siti Asma
D001419:Bacteria / Q000145:classification / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D015169:Colony Count, Microbial; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005658:Fungi / Q000145:classification / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D006225:Hand / Q000382:microbiology*; D006282:Health Personnel; D006784:Hospitals, Teaching; D006801:Humans; D008296:Malaysia; D008828:Microbiological Techniques; D011897:Random Allocation; D062606:Tertiary Care Centers