Tourniquets used repeatedly on patients for blood sampling are a potential source of Nosocomial infections. Reusable venesection Tourniquets are often used consecutively on multiple patients without disinfection between uses. The present study was conducted to isolate the potentially pathogenic bacteria from reusable Tourniquets and to study their antibiotic resistance pattern. The study was conducted in King George Hospital (KGH), tertiary care teaching hospital in Vizag, Andhra Pradesh. Swabs from 50 Tourniquets of various areas in the hospital were taken for the study in December 2015. The samples were transported immediately to the lab in BHI broth and inoculated onto sheep blood agar and McConkey's agar, incubated at 37°C for 24 to 48 hours. Isolation and identification of the organisms were done by a standard procedure in the laboratory. Antibiotic sensitivity testing was done by Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion method on Muller Hinton Agar. Cefoxitin (30mcg ) was used to detect MRSA and Ceftazidime and Ceftazidim+Clavulonate (30/10mcg ) discs were used for ESBL producers and the zones of inhibition were interpreted as per CLSI guidelines. Out of the 50 Tourniquets, 8 were from sample collection sites, 9 from ICU's, 2 from casualty and 31 from various wards. Potentially pathogenic bacteria were isolated from 36 (72%) Tourniquets out of 50 and non-pathogenic environmental commensals were isolated from 14 (28%). Gram positive cocci were the predominant isolates 19 (52.8%) followed by gram-negative bacilli 17 (47.2%). Among total isolates 44.4% and among GPC 84.2%were staph aureus and 13.6% (3) were enterococci. Among GNB, klebsiella species were predominant (10) followed by E.coli (5), Pseudomonas species (2) and acinetobacter species (2). MRSA was detected in 2 (12.5%) strains of Staph aureus and ESBLs were detected in 3 (17.6%). All the 3 Enterococci were sensitive to vancomycin. 1. Tourniquets are a potential reservoir and vehicle for the spread of nosocomial infections, including MROs. 2. Regular surveillance and sterilisation or disinfection policy for Tourniquets are recommended in Infection Control programme to decrease hospital acquired infections and multi-drug resistant organisms.

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