Proportions of Pathogenic Bacteria Isolated from Door Locks and Working Benches in Clinical Laboratory: A Laboratory Based Study

BACKGROUND: Numerous studies have revealed the association of the door handle and contamination of pathogenic bacteria. Door handles of clinical and research laboratories have higher chances of contamination with pathogenic bacteria during closing and opening with contaminated gloves on, or sometimes after visiting the toilets without the use of disinfectant materials. There is limited epidemiological data regarding bacteria cross contamination of door locks of the Clinical laboratory at Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Centre. This study aimed at providing the proportions of bacteria contaminating medical laboratory doors. METHODS: A cross section laboratory-based study was conducted and it involved collection of swab samples from doors and working benches in the clinical laboratory. RESULTS: Prevalence of Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Coagulase Negative Staphylococcus, Bacillus spp., Pseudomonas aeroginosa and coliforms were (26%, 22%, 18%, 8%, 4% and 4% respectively. CONCLUSION: This study has reported high proportion of pathogenic bacteria. The results entails that, internal and external environments are responsible for laboratory door contamination.