Background: Transmission of hospital acquired infections (HAIs) may be associated with contamination of healthcare workers' (HCWs) hands and white coats. Objective: The purpose of this study was to clarify the role of HCWs' white coats in transmitting HAIs and to determine the association between bacterial contamination of HCWs' hands and white coats. Methods: A total of 154 HCWs were enrolled in the study; different samples were taken from their hands and white coats. Samples were processed and both microbiological and biochemical characterization of the isolates were done using standard microbiological protocols. Results: Up to 65.6% of hands and 61% of coats of HCWs were contaminated by microorganisms. Staphylococcus aureus was the most commonly isolated organisms from both hands and coats of HCWs (29.2%, 27.3% respectively) followed by MRSA (22.1%, 24.7% respectively). Conclusions:The risk for contamination of hands and coats of HCWs is high in different clinical settings. In order to reduce the rate of HAIs, a strict dress protocol should be set into play to prevent cross contamination between HCWs and patients. Keywords: contamination, HCWs, coat, hand, Staphylococcus aureus, MRSA. CONTAMINATION BACTÉRIENNE DE MANTEAUX BLANCS ET DE MAINS DE SOINS DE SANTÉ À L'HÔPITAL POUR ENFANTS DE L'UNIVERSITÉ

Background: Group A streptococcus (GAS) is the most common and fearful bacterial cause in pediatric acute pharyngitis due to its serious complications. Several generations of rapid antigen detection tests (RADTs) have been developed to facilitate rapid detection of GAS pharyngitis. We assessed the value of using a dedicated swab for RADT rather than using the same swab for throat culture and RADT.