Isolation and antibiotic susceptibility test of bacteria from healthcare workers and hospital environment

Hospital-acquired infections are one of the most significant adverse events for healthcare institutions increasing morbidity and mortality. The hospital environment is a potential source of infection especially with pathogenic bacteria. The study was aimed at identifying some possible sources of pyogenic bacterial infections in a Private hospital and determining the antibiotic susceptibility. Bacteriological analysis of swabs from hands of health care staff, the floors in the wards and clinics, beds and examination couches in the clinics and wards was carried out. Organisms were identified by Gram stain, catalase and coagulase test oxidase test. Bacillus spp and Streptococcus spp were isolated from the floor, bed and air. Staphylococcus spp was isolated from the hands of health workers. The organisms isolated were resistant to cloxacillin, amoxicillin, and streptomycin but susceptible to ofloxacin, gentamicin and co-trimoxazole.  The findings in this study reveal that the hospital environment and the hands of healthcare workers can serve as a reservoir for antibiotic resistant microorganisms.