Epidemiological characterization of the microorganisms present on health workers’ white coats

Abstract

ABSTRACT

The objective of this cross-sectional study was to determine the epidemiological characteristics of the microorganisms present on the white coats of the health workers of a university hospital. The study was performed with health professionals, by means of a questionnaire applied to obtain information regarding the sociodemographic profile and behavior of a hospitalization unit’s workers regarding their care with their white coat. Next, the pocket and waist regions of the coats were swabbed for testing. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Most workers (76%) reported using their white coat only in the working area, 60% informed they change their coats every two days. The pockets were more contaminated than the waist area of the coats. The predominant yield was multiresistant coagulase-negative Staphylococcus, including oxacillin-resistant strains. In conclusion, the workers’ white coats were contaminated with microorganisms, which contributes with the dissemination of pathogens among different patients.

Descriptors: Cross Infection; Clothing; Health Personnel.