Bacterial Contamination of Clothes and Environmental Items in a Third-Level Hospital in Colombia
Objective. This study evaluates the bacterial contamination rate of items in the hospital setting that are in frequent contact with patients and/or physicians. By determining the bacterial species and the associated antibiotic resistance that patients are exposed to. Methods. Hospital-based cross-se...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Wiley
2012-01-01
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| Series: | Interdisciplinary Perspectives on Infectious Diseases |
| Online Access: | http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2012/507640 |
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| author | J. C. Cataño L. M. Echeverri C. Szela |
| author_facet | J. C. Cataño L. M. Echeverri C. Szela |
| author_sort | J. C. Cataño |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Objective. This study evaluates the bacterial contamination rate of items in the hospital setting that are in frequent contact with patients and/or physicians. By determining the bacterial species and the associated antibiotic resistance that patients are exposed to. Methods. Hospital-based cross-sectional surveillance study of potential bacterial reservoirs. Cultures from 30 computer keyboards, 32 curtains, 40 cell phones, 35 white coats, and 22 ties were obtained. Setting. The study was conducted an urban academic 650-bed teaching hospital providing tertiary care to the city of Medellin, Colombia. Results. In total, 235 bacterial isolates were obtained from 159 surfaces sampled. 98.7% of the surfaces grew positive bacterial cultures with some interesting resistance profiles. Conclusion. There are significant opportunities to reduce patient exposure to frequently pathogenic bacteria in the hospital setting; patients are likely exposed to many bacteria through direct contact with white coats, curtains, and ties. They may be exposed to additional bacterial reservoirs indirectly through the hands of clinicians, using computer keyboards and cell phones. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-4d516ce9041d423a95aade50787b652e |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 1687-708X 1687-7098 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2012-01-01 |
| publisher | Wiley |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Interdisciplinary Perspectives on Infectious Diseases |
| spelling | doaj-art-4d516ce9041d423a95aade50787b652e2025-08-20T02:38:43ZengWileyInterdisciplinary Perspectives on Infectious Diseases1687-708X1687-70982012-01-01201210.1155/2012/507640507640Bacterial Contamination of Clothes and Environmental Items in a Third-Level Hospital in ColombiaJ. C. Cataño0L. M. Echeverri1C. Szela2Infectious Diseases Section, Internal Medicine Department, University of Antioquia Medical School, Calle 67 # 53-108, Medellin, ColombiaMicrobiology Section, San Vicente Foundation University Hospital, Calle 64 # 51D-154, Medellin, ColombiaHarvard Medical School, Medical Degree Candidate 2012, 25 Shattuck Street, Boston, MA 02115, USAObjective. This study evaluates the bacterial contamination rate of items in the hospital setting that are in frequent contact with patients and/or physicians. By determining the bacterial species and the associated antibiotic resistance that patients are exposed to. Methods. Hospital-based cross-sectional surveillance study of potential bacterial reservoirs. Cultures from 30 computer keyboards, 32 curtains, 40 cell phones, 35 white coats, and 22 ties were obtained. Setting. The study was conducted an urban academic 650-bed teaching hospital providing tertiary care to the city of Medellin, Colombia. Results. In total, 235 bacterial isolates were obtained from 159 surfaces sampled. 98.7% of the surfaces grew positive bacterial cultures with some interesting resistance profiles. Conclusion. There are significant opportunities to reduce patient exposure to frequently pathogenic bacteria in the hospital setting; patients are likely exposed to many bacteria through direct contact with white coats, curtains, and ties. They may be exposed to additional bacterial reservoirs indirectly through the hands of clinicians, using computer keyboards and cell phones.http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2012/507640 |
| spellingShingle | J. C. Cataño L. M. Echeverri C. Szela Bacterial Contamination of Clothes and Environmental Items in a Third-Level Hospital in Colombia Interdisciplinary Perspectives on Infectious Diseases |
| title | Bacterial Contamination of Clothes and Environmental Items in a Third-Level Hospital in Colombia |
| title_full | Bacterial Contamination of Clothes and Environmental Items in a Third-Level Hospital in Colombia |
| title_fullStr | Bacterial Contamination of Clothes and Environmental Items in a Third-Level Hospital in Colombia |
| title_full_unstemmed | Bacterial Contamination of Clothes and Environmental Items in a Third-Level Hospital in Colombia |
| title_short | Bacterial Contamination of Clothes and Environmental Items in a Third-Level Hospital in Colombia |
| title_sort | bacterial contamination of clothes and environmental items in a third level hospital in colombia |
| url | http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2012/507640 |
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