Detection and antibiotic susceptibility profiling of potentially pathogenic bacteria isolated from stethoscopes used by medical, nursing and obstetrics interns at the Jorge Reátegui Delgado Hospital, Piura
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.37787/xrfb4133Keywords:
stethoscopes, multidrug-resistant bacteria, cross-infection.Abstract
Objective: To detect potentially pathogenic multidrug-resistant bacteria on stethoscopes at Jorge Reátegui Delgado Hospital (Piura). Methods: A descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted between December 2022 and March 2023. Swab samples were obtained from 229 stethoscopes in six hospital areas. These samples were cultured in BHI broth and MacConkey agar and identified using the MicroScan Walkaway 96 Plus system. Results: 141 bacteria were isolated from stethoscopes used by interns: 52.5% from nursing, 39.7% from medicine, and 7.8% from obstetrics. Gram-positive bacteria predominated (62.4%): S. epidermidis (25%), S. aureus (21.6%), and S. haemolyticus (18.2%). Gram-negative bacteria (37.6%): E. coli (18.9%), K. pneumoniae, P. aeruginosa, and A. baumannii (15.1% each). The most contaminated areas were Internal Medicine (21.3%), Pediatrics (17.7%), and the ICU (16.3%). Conclusions: Stethoscopes are critical fomites for the transmission of multidrug-resistant bacteria. Nursing interns are at higher risk, highlighting gaps in infection control training. Mandatory disinfection between patients, specific continuing education for interns, and periodic microbiological surveillance are required to prevent the spread of high-risk pathogens in the hospital.
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