1. Microbiota in mobile phones of medical ophthalmologists
- Author
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H.J. Pérez-Cano, M.F. Reyes Santos, and B.M. César Moreno
- Subjects
medicine.medical_specialty ,education.field_of_study ,Medical staff ,business.industry ,media_common.quotation_subject ,Population ,Specialty ,General Medicine ,010501 environmental sciences ,Routine practice ,01 natural sciences ,03 medical and health sciences ,0302 clinical medicine ,Hygiene ,Family medicine ,medicine ,030212 general & internal medicine ,Smear sample ,business ,education ,0105 earth and related environmental sciences ,media_common - Abstract
Objective To determine the microbiota of mobile phones used during the ophthalmological consultation by medical personnel, patients, and family members. Methods An analysis was made on the mobile phones of the medical staff and of patients and/or family members in the area of clinical specialty. A survey was conducted to evaluate the pattern of use and disinfection of mobile phones. A smear sample was taken from the mobile phones. The specimens obtained were inoculated in culture media and incubated at 37 °C for 24 h. Genus and species were identified in the positive cultures and the results obtained were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Results An analysis was made on 71 mobile phones of medical personnel and 52 from patients and/or family members. The microorganisms isolated in the mobile phones of the ophthalmologists were: coagulase-negative staphylococci 50%, Staphylococcus aureus 32.4%, enterobacteria 4.2%, Actinomycetes 4.2%, and 9.8% were negative. On the other hand, in the phones of patients and relatives, the isolated microorganisms were S. aureus 75%, coagulase-negative staphylococci 24%, and enterobacteria 1%. Conclusions The results obtained show that mobile phones, both of the medical staff and of the patients and their relatives, contain bacteria considered pathogenic that could cause an infection. It is important to establish a routine practice of cleaning mobile phones and to make the population aware of hygiene habits, since they are responsible for the care of their eyes after consultation.
- Published
- 2019