Stethoscope, Hands, and Mobile Phone: Bacterial Contamination and Infection Control among Medical and Nursing Students in Jordan

Abstract

Introduction: This study aimed to investigate the antibiotic susceptibility of bacterial contamination that is present on stethoscopes, mobile phones, and hands along with the level of self-reported cleaning practices among medical students. Materials and Methods: Eighty-seven swabs from stethoscopes, mobile phones, and hands were collected from volunteering medical (n=66, 75.8%) and nursing students (n=21, 24.2%) in a hospital environment. The swabs were collected and transported to the microbiology laboratory and cultured on appropriate media. The isolated bacteria were identified as per standard microbiological procedures. Results: Five bacterial species were isolated and identified. The highest contamination was found on hands (37%), mobile phones (32%), and stethoscopes (31%). Isolates were highly resistant to most tested antibiotics. Only seven (8%) students cleaned their stethoscopes between patients and more alarmingly, 33 (38%) did not clean their stethoscopes at all, and 58 (67%) did not know how to effectively clean their stethoscopes. The current study revealed a gap between the students’ knowledge and their proper hygienic practice in hospitals. Conclusion: The hands are a major source of pathogenic bacteria and have higher bacterial contamination than stethoscopes and mobile phones. It highlights the need for increasing awareness among students and healthcare professionals about the importance of disinfecting medical devices, mobile phones, and hands in hospitals.