Microbial contamination of health care worker's mobile phones in Sina hospital, Tabriz

In recent years, health care worker's mobile phones have been considered important as a source of infection because they could have a significant role in nosocomial infections. The aim of this study is to determine the type of microbial contamination of health care worker's mobile phones in Sina hospital in Tabriz.
Methods & Materials: In this descriptive-analytical study, 140 samples were taken from health care worker's mobile phones by convenience sampling, in 2015. The samples were taken by a sterile swab and immediately transferred to the hospital laboratory. They were cultured after incubation for 48 hrs in two plates at 37° C. Finally, the grown microorganisms were identified by biochemical tests. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and Chi-square test on SPSS software version 13. A level of P 84.28% of phones were positive for bacterial contamination. Coagulase-negative staphylococci (45%) had the most frequency and Bacillus species (19.28%) were in second rank. Acinetobacter found in only 1 case (0.71%) had the least frequency. More than one microorganism had grown on 5 contaminated phones (3.57%). The contamination rate was significantly higher in the intensive care units than in general wards (P According to the findings, health care worker's mobile phones is significantly contaminated. Therefore, it is necessary that the staff to be informed of the role of cell phone in the nosocomial infection, as the role of other hospital equipment. It is also important to be trained about periodic cleaning of mobile phones with suitable material such as 70% alcohol and frequent washing of hands after using the phone.