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Contamination of room door handles by methicillin-sensitive/methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus
1Department of Pharmacy, Yamaguchi University Hospital, 1-1-1 Minamikogushi, Ube 755-8505, Japan.
Abstract:
We investigated the contamination of room door handles by Staphylococcus aureus in wards of a university hospital. Door handles in 53 (27.0%) of 196 rooms were contaminated by methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA) and/or methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA); MSSA was detected on door handles of 41 rooms (20.9%), MRSA on door handles of 17 rooms (8.7%), and MSSA and MRSA on the same door handles of five rooms (2.6%). The density of MSSA contamination was 1-2.6x10(4) colony forming units (cfu)/door handle, and that of MRSA was 1-6.0x10(3) cfu/door handle. The MRSA contamination rate on door handles of rooms with patients with MRSA was 19.0% (4/21 rooms) while that on door handles of rooms with patients without MRSA was 7.4% (13/175); the difference was not significant. These results suggest extensive contamination of MSSA and MRSA in the hospital environment.
Insights
Hospital door handles are frequently contaminated with Staphylococcus aureus, including antibiotic-resistant strains like methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). This study highlights significant bacterial presence on surfaces within university hospital wards, indicating a potential transmission risk.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Hospital Infection Control
- Public Health
Background:
- Staphylococcus aureus, including methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA) and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), is a significant nosocomial pathogen.
- Door handles are high-touch surfaces and potential reservoirs for microbial transmission in healthcare settings.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the prevalence and extent of Staphylococcus aureus contamination on room door handles in university hospital wards.
- To differentiate between methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA) and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) contamination.
Main Methods:
- Environmental sampling of door handles from 196 rooms across university hospital wards.
- Bacteriological analysis to detect and quantify Staphylococcus aureus, including MSSA and MRSA, using colony forming units (cfu).
Main Results:
- Door handles in 27.0% of rooms were contaminated with MSSA and/or MRSA.
- MSSA was found on 20.9% of handles, MRSA on 8.7%, and both on 2.6%.
- Contamination densities ranged from 1-2.6x10(4) cfu/handle for MSSA and 1-6.0x10(3) cfu/handle for MRSA.
Conclusions:
- A substantial proportion of hospital room door handles are contaminated with Staphylococcus aureus, posing a potential risk for patient and healthcare worker exposure.
- The findings underscore the need for enhanced environmental hygiene practices, including regular disinfection of high-touch surfaces like door handles, to mitigate the spread of hospital-acquired infections.