Oxygen cylinders act as a fomite for
methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), according to a
new study in the Emergency Medicine Journal, December 1.
In the study, researchers tested the surface of nine
oxygen cylinders and regulators located in ambulances at an emergency medical
services (EMS) station in North Alabama, USA. Seventy offsite oxygen cylinders
were also tested.
Of nine oxygen cylinders tested in the ambulances, nine
had MRSA colonisation (100%). MRSA was also present on 67 of 70 oxygen
cylinders (96%) tested at the offsite oxygen cylinder storage area.
Last year, a study reported in the September 2018 issue
of American Journal of Infection Control found that patient privacy curtains
surrounding patient beds in hospitals become progressively contaminated with
bacteria, including MRSA. The increased MRSA positivity was observed between 10
and 14 days after being hung. By the 14th day, seven (87.5%) of the eight test
curtains were positive for MRSA. This was the time to either change or clean
the curtains, suggested the study.
A new study published online Dec. 12, 2018 in the Infection
Control & Hospital Epidemiology reported stethoscopes as carriers of
infection. On a set of 40 stethoscopes in use in an ICU, all 40 had a high
abundance of Staphylococcus bacteria, with "definitive" S. aureus
bacteria present on 24 of 40 stethoscopes tested.
The BMJ reported in 2015 that white coats worn by
doctors harbor potential contaminants and contribute considerably to the burden
of disease acquired in hospital by spreading infection
Research has also shown an association of yoga mats with
fungal, bacterial and viral infections.
Equipment handles, clothes, carpets etc. are a source of
bacteria. Computers, telephones, telephone mouthpieces, headsets, desks, ATMs,
cash machines, elevator buttons have also been reported as potential sources
for transmitting infectious microorganisms (Int J Environ Res Public Health.
2014;11(12):12544-61).
Notes and coins are also a source of infection.
Banknotes recovered from hospitals may be highly contaminated by Staphylococcus aureus, while, Salmonella, Escherichia coli and S. aureus are
commonly isolated from banknotes from food outlets. Influenza virus, Norovirus,
Rhinovirus, hepatitis A virus and Rotavirus can be transmitted through hand
contact (Future Microbiol. 2014;9(2):249-61).
This new study only adds to the growing list of evidences
that for all practical purposes, everything used in healthcare can be considered
to be contaminated and as a potential source of cross-contamination in
hospitals.
While hand to hand transmission of microbes remains an
important route of spread of infection, these studies highlight the role of
contaminated environmental surfaces in the transmission of
healthcare-associated infections.
Universal precautions needs to
be taken. Every surface in healthcare settings needs to be taken as infected
unless proved otherwise. One should also not forget section 269 IPC act
"Negligent act likely
to spread infection of disease dangerous to life.—Whoever unlawfully or
negligently does any act which is, and which he knows or has reason to believe
to be, likely to spread the infection of any disease dangerous to life, shall
be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend
to six months, or with fine, or with both."
Dr KK
Aggarwal
Padma
Shri Awardee
President
Elect Confederation of Medical Associations in Asia and Oceania (CMAAO)
Group
Editor-in-Chief IJCP Publications
President
Heart Care Foundation of India
Past
National President IMA
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