E. coli infected cutting boards

The researchers of University Hospital of Basel in Switzerland have just discovered that the kitchens in hospitals, nursing homes and medical facilities are infected with multi-drug resistant bacteria.

After handling raw poultry, hands of food preparers and cutting boards remain a source of transmission for multi-drug resistant bacteria, such as E coli that produces extended-spectrum beta-lactamases (ESBLs). Multi drug-resistant E coli can also be found in the domestic kitchens besides the ones in hospitals.

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Published in the ‘Journal Infection Control,’ researchers found that 6.5% of hospital cutting boards used in preparation of poultry were contaminated with ESBL-producing E coli. It was also found that 50% of the hospital kitchen gloves were contaminated with this drug-resistant E coli.

The study has given maximum emphasis on the maintenance of hand hygiene of those working in kitchens be it domestic ones, hospitals or restaurants. The maximum risk with regard to germination of multi-drug resistant bugs happen to be raw meat cutting boards, choppers and hands used in gathering them.