Evaluation of microbiological contamination of cell phones used in the surgical center of the veterinary polyclinic of the University Center of Valença

Abstract

Introduction: Technology has demonstrated that the use of cell phones can bring benefits and practicality to routine hospital needs. However, their indiscriminate use exposes them to contamination and can compromise prophylaxis in certain controlled environments. Objective: To investigate the microbiological transmission of cell phones belonging to students, faculty, and staff who use the surgical center at the UNIFAA Veterinary Polyclinic, identifying their relevance in the prophylaxis of surgical infections and alerting the circulating staff to the need for preventive behaviors. Methodology: The project was approved by the CEP/UNIFAA (79813624.7.0000.5246). Twenty samples collected from the surfaces of cell phones belonging to students and staff who had frequent access to the surgical center were analyzed using swabs soaked in sterile saline solution. These samples were stored in an incubator and subsequently plated on blood agar, salted mannitol agar, and MacConkey agar culture media for microbiological isolation and identification. Results and Discussion: The results revealed high microbiological contamination on cell phones used in the veterinary surgical environment. Bacillus spp. was identified in 65% of the samples, indicating poor hygiene and the constant presence of environmental particles. Staphylococcus aureus, isolated in 40% of the samples, is a relevant pathogen due to its virulent potential and association with nosocomial infections. Staphylococcus spp. was detected in 60% of the samples, reinforcing the risk of opportunistic infections. These findings highlight that cell phones are potential fomites, often overlooked, that contribute to cross-contamination. Educational measures and biosafety protocols that include the sanitization of these devices in hospital settings are urgently needed.