Which micro-organisms are transferred by healthcare personnel between hospital and home?

Background: The aim of ths study was to determine which micro-organisms are transferred from home to hospital, and which from hospital to home, by the hands of healthcare personnel. Methods: : A total of 10 doctors and 53 nurses, selected at random according to the clinics where they worked, were included. The study data were collected in two stages. In the first stage, the study participants completed a personal information form. In the second stage, samples were taken from the right and left hands of the healthcare personnel on entering and leaving the hospital. Results: : According to the samples taken, there was determined to be greater bacteria production on the hands of the healthcare personnel when entering the hospital. The greatest production was in the least washed area of the right hand (93.7% on entry, 74.6% on exit). Nurses and those working in surgical clinics were seen to have greater bacteria production on both entry to and exit from the hospital compared to other healthcare workers. Conculusion: The study results showed that just as healthcare personnel transferred some micro-organisms from home to hospital on their hands, they also transferred some bacteria to home on leaving the hospital. With the necessary precautions taken to prevent the transfer of micro-organisms to or from hospital, the prevalence of hospital infections will decrease.