Surveillance of health care workers for multidrug-resistant organisms in faecal samples in a tertiary care cancer centre

Introduction / objectives Antimicrobial resistance among nosocomial pathogens is a significant problem in most clinical settings adding to the cost of medical care and the morbidity and mortality of patients. Enterobacteriaceae carrying extended spectrum b-lactamases(ESBLs), Vancomycin resistant Enterococcus (VRE), methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) have emerged as significant pathogens. Many of the health care workers, who come in contact with patients regularly, are carriers of many of these organisms. They are potential source of transmission of these organisms. This study was undertaken to determine the extent of prevalence of faecal carriers of multi-drug resistant organisms among health care workers.