Hand microbiota of mothers and healthcare workers of an obstetric hospital in Goiânia

Abstract

This descriptive study was carried out at a maternity of a University Hospital in Goiânia-Goiás, Brazil, between April and October of 2003. It aimed to identify the hand microbiota of mothers and health professionals delivering care to newborns. The study population consisted of all active health workers and the mothers receiving care at the service during the study period. From the hands of 31 subjects (15 mothers and 16 health professionals), Gram-positive organisms, Gram-negative rods and yeasts were isolated. The most frequently isolated microorganisms were: Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus e negative-coagulase, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Citrobacter freundii, Enterobacter sp, Hafnia alvei, Serratia sp and Arizona sp, which literature has appointed as being associated with outbreaks of hospital infection in child-care and rooming-in units. This reveals the urgent need to elaborate permanent education programs for professionals and health service users about the importance of hand washing as a tool to prevent infection and guarantee quality care to newborns