Study of Antibiotic Resistant Bacterial Flora, Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA) and Extended Spectrum β-Lactamase (ESBL) Profile Associated with Mobile Phones of Healthcare Workers and Non-Healthcare Workers

Despite advancements in diagnostics and treatment, hospital-acquired infections remain a significant global healthcare issue, with potential pathogens found in healthcare workers' cell phones. Cell phones are often not thoroughly cleaned and treated with improper hand hygiene, despite the higher risk of contamination when examining patients or handling specimens. This study aimed to identify bacterial flora from mobile phones of healthcare workers and non- healthcare workers in Subharti Hospital and Subharti University, examining 150 samples. From 75 samples of HCWs mobile phones, bacterial growth was found on 74 and 102 bacteria were isolated, out of which 33(32.6%) bacterial colonies from HCWs mobile phones, A single, multiple or mixed colonies are observed and 102 bacteria were isolated. Age between 16-25 years have got a high chance of contamination, users of touch-screen mobile phones and users in toilets are highly contaminated with S. aureus along with users of same mobile phones for more than 5 years. The number of MRSA were 100% higher in the mobile phones carried in pockets than those carried in mobile-bags and those who do not regular disinfect their mobile phones.6%) bacterial isolates from Nurses, Technicians and Attendants respectively, 2(5.12%) Nurses, 1(5%) Technician and 2(12.5%) Attendant samples isolated were detected as 5(4.90%) MR SA. Also, 1(2.56%) nurse and 1(5%) technician bacterial isolates were positive for ESBL- producers 1(0.98%) Escherichia coli & 1(0.98%) Klebsiella spp.