Mobile smart phones have become increasingly integrated into the practice of doctors and allied medical professionals. Recent studies suggest them to represent reservoirs for pathogens with potential to cause nosocomial infections. Mark, et al. (2014) aimed to investigate the level of contamination on phones used on surgical wards and identify strategies for their safe use within clinical areas.
Fifty mobile phones were taken from members of the multidisciplinary team working in a surgical unit. Phones were swabbed by two trained investigators using a standardized technique and samples streaked out using an automated specimen inoculator onto two types of culture media (Columbia blood agar and MacConkey agar). Colonies were identified and counted by a single trained investigator in a blinded fashion. Simultaneously a questionnaire investigating usage levels of phones was given to 150 healthcare workers.
Sixty percent of phones sampled had some form of contaminant isolated from their phone. Thirty-one (62 percent) of phones had only three colonies or less isolated on medium. No pathogenic or drug resistant strains of bacteria were identified. A total of 88 percent of individuals sampled by questionnaire used their phone within the workplace of which 55 percent used it for clinical purposes. Sixty-three percent expected there to be some form of contaminant on their phone with only 37 percent admitting to cleaning it regularly. Seventy-five percent of people did not view a ban on phones as a practical solution was they found to be an infection risk.
The researchers say that touch screen smart phones may be used safely in a clinical environment, with a low risk of cross-contamination of nosocomial bacteria to patients, in the setting of effective adherence to hand hygiene policies. Their research was published in the International Journal of Clinical Practice.
Reference: Mark D, Leonard C, Breen H, Graydon R, O'Gorman C and Kirk S. Mobile phones in clinical practice: reducing the risk of bacterial contamination. International Journal of Clinical Practice. May 2014.
Source: Wiley
Strengthening Defenses: Integrating Infection Control With Antimicrobial Stewardship
October 11th 2024Use this handout to explain the basics of why infection prevention and control and antimicrobial stewardship are essential and how the 2 fields must have a unified approach to patient and staff safety
The Critical Role of Clean Hospitals in Infection Control: Why You Should Join the Initiative
October 3rd 2024Clean Hospitals promotes global healthcare environmental hygiene, reducing infections and antimicrobial resistance. Join the movement to improve patient safety and staff protection through Clean Hospitals Day.
The Long-Term Care Chronicles: The Great Mitigators
August 27th 2024Enjoy this first installment of The Long-Term Care Chronicles With Robbie Hilliard, MSN, RN CIC, a column about managing special infection control situations in the long-term care patient population. This installment is about when 2 experts conflict about best care.