Microbial Sampling and Analysis Taken from Fingerprint System Devices Located at Al-Yarmouk Teaching Hospital in Baghdad - Iraq

Biometric devices (BDs) are nowadays common in use for a variety of purposes. This system involves physical contact between the skin and surface of the device, which is likely to be contaminated by microorganisms of multiple users. However, it can be a source of multiple microbiological contaminations. This study was done at AL-Yarmouk Teaching Hospital-Baghdad- Iraq, during the period started from 15th November 2023 till 15th March 2024. It was designed to find out the most common bacteria and fungi that might contaminate the fingerprint devices and performing antimicrobial susceptibility tests. Forty-six sterile swab samples taken from Twenty-three fingerprint system devices distributed in twelve different hospital departments. From each device we took two swabs, one before sterilization other after, and tested sensitivity patterns against 16 antimicrobials. Four Gram positive bacteria scored on fingerprint devices, in Medicine, Surgery, Orthopedics and Obstetrics & Gynecology departments represented by Coagulase-negative Staphylococci (CoNS). Response to sensitivity test for antibiotics, especially Moxifloxacin, Linezolid, Teicoplanin, Vancomycin, Tigecycline and Rifampicin, 100%, as well other antibiotics but in varying degrees, and not any type of fungi were isolated. In conclusion, Gram positive bacteria population was the most common organisms, and highly response in varying degrees to the most Sixteen antibiotics used in sensitivity test, however, should proper maintenance and educational practices must be applied to minimize contamination.