Bacterial Contamination of Hands and Anterior Nares of Health Care Professionals Attending ICU at a Tertiary Care Hospital in South India.

Introduction: Nosocomial infections remain a major challenge to the healthcare system and the patients in Intensive care units(ICU) are more prone for acquiring these infections. Carriage of drug resistant organisms by the health care workers (HCW) is a potential method of transmission of these organisms in the hospital environment. The objective of this study was to determine the multidrug resistant organisms among HCWs attending ICU. Materials and Method: 60 HCWs belonging to different cadres attending the ICU were screened. Samples from hands and anterior nares were collected using sterile swab sticks and aerobic bacterial culture performed. Results: A total of 83 isolates were obtained from 120 swabs. Methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus(MRSA) (12.9%), Methicillin resistant Coagulase negative staphylococci(MR CONS) (36.3%), and Extended spectrum beta lactamase (ESBL) producing gram negative bacilli(GNB) (50%)were the common drug resistant organisms detected. MRSA was more commonly seen in the anterior nares and among the nurses. MR CONS and ESBLs were obtained mainly from hands and among the house keeping staff and the doctors. Inducible clindamycin resistance was also noted in staphylococci. Majority of the hand swabs from the nurses yielded scanty or no growth while that of housekeeping staff and doctors exhibited drug resistant organisms. Conclusion: Multidrug resistant organisms were commonly carried by the HCWs attending ICU. Commensal organisms are becoming resistant to multiple drug classes. HCWs serving the critical care areas need periodic screening, followed by decolonisation/eradication measures with more emphasis on those who are not restricted to ICU. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]