Avaliação da contaminação por bacilos Gram negativos em jalecos de estudantes e profissionais da saúde

Abstract

In order to prevent contamination with infectious agents, health professionals and students have to adopt biosecurity measures; one of them is the coat use. However, if not used properly, it can become a vehicle for transmitting microorganisms. The present study aimed to identify the main Gram negative bacilli in lab coats of health professionals and college students, to compare colonization rates and to conduct a behavioral analysis regarding the use and handling of the lab coat.142 samples were obtained directly from the pockets of the lab coats. These samples were subjected to Gram stain and biochemical tests. Behavioral analysis was done only visually. The results showed 46 samples contaminated by Gram negative bacilli, and in 37 of them it was possible to perform biochemicall identification, finding the genus Klebsiella, Shigella, Pseudomonas, Enterobacter and Serratia. It was observed that most of the study participants had little or no care regarding the use and handling of the lab coat. Bacteria of great clinical importance were found, raising the hypothesis that these lab coats could be serving as a vehicle for the spread of pathogens. We conclude thatactions are needed to make both students and health professionals aware of the risk of pathogen transmission that the incorrect use of lab coats can exert.