The medical overcoat - Is it a transmitting agent for bacterial pathogens?

Abstract

The aim of this study was to isolate, identify and compare the pathogenic bacteria prevalent on the overcoats of doctors, residents and students from medical and surgical wards, to determine their antimicrobial sensitivity, compare them with isolates from pus collected over the same period, and ultimately make recommendations. Using standard procedures, bacteria were isolated and identified from the hem and pocket mouths of the overcoats of 80 medical personnel, and drug sensitivity tests were carried out. Of the samples from the overcoats, 95% (n = 152) were positive for bacterial isolates like Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Klebsiella sp., Escherichia coli, non-fermenting Gram-negative bacteria, Staphylococcus aureus, etc. Six swabs showed double isolates. There was a significant (P = 0.014) association with the category of the participants (30/34 from doctors, 44/48 from residents and 78/78 from students). The isolates were significantly (P < 0.001) more prevalent on overcoats from surgical wards (n = 98, 100%) than on those from medical wards (n = 54, 87%). The pathogens from medical overcoats and those from pus samples were both multidrug resistant, though they were not similar. Hence overcoats may be a transmitting agent for bacterial pathogens. Doctors should be aware of the proper usage and frequency of laundering of overcoats.