Mobile phones of anesthesiologists as reservoirs of nosocomial bacteria in a quaternary teaching hospital: an observational study

Abstract Background: Mobile phones in hospital settings have been identified as an important source of cross-contamination because of the low frequency with which mobile phones are cleaned by health workers and cyclical contamination of the hands and face. The aim of this study was to investigate whether the mobile phones of the anesthesia team at a teaching hospital are potential reservoirs of nosocomial bacteria. In addition, differences in device sanitization and hand hygiene habits between attending and resident anesthesiologists were correlated with mobile phone colonization. Methods: A prevalence study was conducted over a 6-month period from 2017 to 2018 that involved the collection of samples from the mobile phones of the anesthesiology team and culturing for surveillance. A questionnaire was administered to assess the mobile phone sanitization and hand washing routines of the anesthesia team in specific situations. Results: Bacterial contamination was detected for 86 of the 128 mobile phones examined (67.2%). A greater presence of Micrococcus spp. on devices was correlated with a higher frequency of mobile phone use (p = 0.003) and a lower frequency of sanitization (p = 0.003). The presence of bacteria was increased on the mobile phones of professionals who did not perform handwashing after tracheal intubation (p = 0.003). Conclusion: Hand hygiene and device sanitization habits were more important than the use behavior, as a higher presence of bacteria correlated with poorer hygiene habits. Furthermore, handwashing is the best approach to prevent serious colonization of mobile devices and the possible transmission of pathogens to patients under the care of anesthesiologists.

Comparison of bacterial profile of gallbladder with gallstones from patients undergoing cholecystectomy due to complicated and uncomplicated cholelithiasis: changes in the epidemiological scenario / Perfil bacteriano da vesícula biliar e dos cálculos biliares de pacientes submetidos à colecistectomia por colelitíase complicada e não complicada: mudanças no cenário epidemiológico

ABSTRACT Introduction: cholelithiasis is a highly prevalent disease of the digestive system in the world. In Brazil, it is a routine condition, whose studies suggest a prevalence of around 10% of adults. Colonization of bile and gallstone pathogens can occur when there is bacterial stasis and proliferation. This proliferation is facilitated by the adhesion and biofilm formation capacity of some bacteria. There are also lithogenic processes that involve bacterial participation. Studies have shown changes in the microbiota of the gallbladder of patients undergoing cholecystectomy, which may impact empirical treatment with antibiotics. Methodology: microbiological analyzes of the sonication fluid of the gallstones and of two samples with bile were performed. Identification and antimicrobial susceptibility testing were performed according to a standard routine. Results: of the 34 patients, 76.4% were female. The age group was 48 years +/- 16.61. Acute cholecystitis occurred in 50% of cases. Bactobilia was evidenced in 32.1% of the cases. Klebisiella pneumoniae was noted as the most prevalent pathogen in acute cholecystitis; and Enterobacter sp, in cases of uncomplicated cholelithiasis. Greater sensitivity was obtained in the search for microorganisms in the sonication fluid samples of the stones in relation to the bile samples (p=0.0058). Conclusion: there was a higher prevalence of bactobilia in patients with acute cholecystitis compared to those with uncomplicated cholelithiasis. The use of sonication in bacterial investigation proved to be superior to the conventional method and can be considered.

RESUMO Introdução: a colelitíase é uma doença do sistema digestivo de alta prevalência no mundo. No Brasil, trata-se de uma condição rotineira, cujos estudos sugerem uma prevalência em torno de 10% dos adultos. A colonização de patógenos da bile e do cálculo biliar pode ocorrer quando há estase e proliferação bacteriana. Esta proliferação é facilitada pela capacidade de adesão e de formação de biofilme de algumas bactérias. Também há processos litogênicos que envolvem a participação bacteriana. Estudos evidenciaram mudanças na microbiota da vesícula biliar de pacientes submetidos à colecistectomia, o que pode impactar no tratamento empírico com antibióticos. Metodologia: Realizou-se análises microbiológicas do fluido de sonicação dos cálculos biliares e de duas amostras com bile. A identificação e o teste de sensibilidade aos antimicrobianos foram realizados de acordo com uma rotina padrão. Resultados: Nos 34 pacientes, 76,4% deles foram do sexo feminino. A faixa etária foi de 48 anos +/- 16,61. A colecistite aguda ocorreu em 50% dos casos. A bactobilia foi evidenciada em 32,1% dos casos. Notou-se Klebisiella pneumoniae como o patógeno mais prevalente em quadros de colecistite aguda; e Enterobacter sp, nos casos de colelitíase não complicada. Obteve-se maior sensibilidade na pesquisa de microrganismos nas amostras de fluido de sonicação dos cálculos em relação às de bile (p=0,0058). Conclusão: Houve maior prevalência de bactobilia nos pacientes com colecistite aguda em relação àqueles com colelitíase não complicada. A utilização da sonicação na investigação bacteriana se mostrou superior ao método convencional e pode ser considerada.