Bacterial Isolation, Identification and Antibiogram of Frequently Used Fomite in a Tertiary Hospital in Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State, Nigeria

Background: Nosocomial infections or hospital-acquired infections (HAI) are infections which present within 48 hours of hospital admission, within three days of discharge, or postoperatively within a month. These infections are responsible for increased morbidity and mortality and treatment expenses due to extended stays in hospitals. This study identifies pathogens on fomites in a Multi-System Hospital, Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State. Method: A total of 90 fomite samples, were collected from various sources within the hospital using swab sticks and sent to the lab for the purpose of identifying the infectious agents. After being inoculated on MacConkey, blood, sabouraud, and chocolate agar, the samples were incubated for 18 to 24 hours at 37 °C. Results: The prevalence rate of 47.8% was recorded in this study. Microbiology laboratory and accident and emergency units had the most contamination with 8.9% respectively while theatre unit and general outpatient department had the least contamination with 4.4% respectively. The door/drawer and fridge handles had the highest contamination rate of 16.7%, 3.3% were from mouse/keyboard, 7.8% were from sink, 6.7% were from tap handle, 2.2% were from safety cabinet, 2.2% were from work bench, 4.4% were from patients’ bed, 3.3% were from oxygen tank and operating light respectively, while blood cell counter had the least contamination rate of 1.1%. Conclusion: This study has revealed that inanimate surfaces from the hospital harbour member Enterobacteriaceae. It establishes the fact that Nosocomial infections still persist within our healthcare setting and proves that fomites are possible vehicles of transmission within healthcare facilities.