Mobile Phones as Silent Reservoirs of Infection in a Tertiary Care Hospital: A Pilot Study Among Health Care Workers

Abstract

Background:  Aim: To assess bacterial contamination of mobile phones used by health care workers in a tertiary care hospital. Objectives:    To determine microbial contamination on mobile phones of HCWs. To identify common microorganisms 
isolated from mobile phones. To assess awareness and disinfection practices among HCWs. Materials    and    Methods: A 
cross-sectional pilot study was conducted among 30 health care workers in a tertiary care teaching hospital. Sterile swabs 
were collected from the surfaces of mobile phones and cultured on blood agar and MacConkey agar. Organisms were identified using Gram staining and standard biochemical tests. Data regarding phone usage and cleaning practices were collected 
using a structured questionnaire. Results: Bacterial contamination was detected in the majority of mobile phones. The most 
commonly isolated organisms were coagulase-negative Staphylococci (40%), Staphylococcus aureus (26.7%), and gram
negative bacilli (13.3%). A significant proportion of participants reported infrequent disinfection of their mobile phones. 
Conclusion: Mobile phones used by health care workers can act as reservoirs for potentially pathogenic microorganisms. 
Regular disinfection practices and awareness programs are necessary to reduce the risk of hospital-acquired infections.