ORIGINAL ARTICLE Journal of Evolution of Medical and Dental Sciences/Volume1/ Issue3/July-Sept 2012 Page 198 BACTERIOLOGICAL PROFILE OF CELL PHONES OF HEALTHCARE WORKERS AT TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL. Dr. Chinjal A. Panchal, Dr. Mitesh N. Kamothi, Dr. Sanjay J. Mehta, 1. Post Graduate Student, Department of Microbiology, C.U. Shah Medical College & Hospital, Surendranagar. 2. Assistant Professor, Department of Microbiology, C.U. Shah Medical College & Hospital, Surendranagar. 3. Professor & Head, Department of Microbiology, C.U. Shah Medical College & Hospital, Surendranagar. CORRESPONDING AUTHOR, Dr. Chinjal Arvindbhai Panchal, C. U. Shah Medical College and Hospital, Surendranagar – 363001, E-mail: drchinjal@gmail.com, Ph: 09898576504. ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Cell phones are increasingly used by healthcare workers. They can harbour potential bacterial pathogens and can become an exogenous source of nosocomial infections. Aim of this study was to identify microbial colonisation and their antimicrobial sensitivity; from cell phones used by healthcare workers. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 100 samples were collected from cell phones of clinical and para-clinical staff and non-medical personnel. Specimens were collected and subjected to culture and sensitivity as per the standard guidelines. RESULTS: Bacterial species were isolated from 65 (65%) out of total 100 samples. Coagulase Negative Staphylococcus (42) was the most commonly isolated organism. Isolates included Methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (10), Methicillin sensitive Staphylococcus aureus (3), Bacillusspp(15), Pseudomonas spp(4),Moraxella spp(2), E. coli (1), Klebsiella spp (1) and Acinetobacterspp (1). CONCLUSION: The carriage rate of bacterial isolates was higher in the clinical staff (92%) in comparison to para-clinical staff (56%) and non-medical personnel (20%). Cell phones may serve as potential source of nosocomial infections. KEYWORDS: Bacterial pathogens, Multidrug resistance, Healthcare workers, Nosocomial infections INTRODUCTION: The global system for mobile telecommunication (GSM) was established in 1982 in Europe with a view of providing and improving communication network. Cell phones have become one of the most indispensable accessories of professional and social life. 1 Today,India has 500million Cell phone users. Cell phones increase the speed of communication and contact within health care institutions, making health care delivery more efficient; hence, Cell phones are increasingly used by healthcare workers. 2 Cell phones are frequently used in hospital wards, casualty, laboratories, ICUs and operation theatres. 3 However, Cell phones which are seldom cleaned and often touched during or after the examination of patients without hand washing, can harbour various potential pathogens and become an exogenous source of nosocomial infections for hospitalized patients. 4 Nosocomial infections are important problem in all hospitals. These infections are increasing day-by-day and can affect rate of mortality and morbidity. In this study, Cell phones of non-medical personnel were also included as it represents an environment of community. Therefore bacterial isolates from Cell