Cross contamination of hospital ophthalmic slit lamps by ocular bacteria

摘要

Cross contamination of nosocomial and multiresist-ant bacterial pathogens between patients and between doctor and patient is a source for major concern.1 With increasing bacterial resistance to antibiotics, greater emphasis is being placed on the requirements for cleanliness and reducing the potential for transfer of microbes in the clinical arena.1'2 Because this is a major public health problem, it is important that all clinicians carefully consider how they can contribute to reducing the risk of transfer and spread of multiresist-ant bacteria, such as meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), in the clinical setting.3'4 Each patient examined in an ophthalmology or optometry clinic will inevitably have a slit lamp examination, during which the patient's chin rests on the slit lamp with the lower lip or open mouth abutting against a portion of the rest.