IJSR International Journal of Scientific Research 2277 - 8179 Indian Society for Health and Advanced Research ijsr-6-8-11643 Original Research Paper HOSPITAL REFRIGERATORSCAN BE A SOURCE OF NOSOCOMIAL INFECTIONS Sadhvi Parashar Dr. August 2017 6 8 01 02 ABSTRACT

 Introduction: Nosocomial infections (NI) are a major public health concern, contributing to increase morbidity, mortality and health care cost. Hospital equipments has been identified as likely source of Hospital acquired infections (HAI).Considering that, Hospital refrigerators from different departments were chosen for study. Methods: study plan in two phases. Phase 1); to determine extent of Bacterial and Fungal colonization in hospital Refrigerators. Phase 2); Evaluate efficacy of infection control measure .Result: Study reported (Phase 1)– 59% (59/100) samples were positive for various Bacterial and Fungal isolates. Among Bacteria, predominant isolates were  Staphylococcus aureus38% and Pseudomonas aeruginosa36%;among fungal isolates Aspergillus species and Candida species were common .Phase2)–study documented good effect of cleaning measure as positive cultures were only 18.8%(17/90).Conclusion: Study  emphasize that like other devises and equipments, Hospital Refrigerator can be a source of Nosocomial infection  if temperature of refrigerators and infection control measures are not followed strictly by hospital staff.