Bacterial contamination of fabric and metal-bead identity card lanyards: A cross-sectional study

Abstract

In healthcare, fabric or metal-bead lanyards are universally used for carrying identity cards. However there is little information on microbial contamination with potential pathogens that may readily re-contaminate disinfected hands. We examined 108 lanyards from hospital staff. Most grew skin flora but 7/108 (6%) had potentially pathogenic bacteria: four grew methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus, and four grew probable fecal flora: 3 Clostridium perfringens and 1 Clostridium bifermentans (one lanyard grew both S. aureus and C. bifermentans). Unused (control) lanyards had little or no such contamination. The median duration of lanyard wear was 12 months (interquartile range 3-36 months). 17/108 (16%) of the lanyards had reportedly undergone decontamination including wiping with alcohol, chlorhexidine or chlorine dioxide; and washing with soap and water or by washing machine. Metal-bead lanyards had significantly lower median bacterial counts than those from fabric lanyards (1 vs. 4 CFU/cm(2); Mann-Whitney U=300.5; P<0.001). 12/32 (38%) of the metal-bead lanyards grew no bacteria, compared with 2/76 (3%) of fabric lanyards. We recommend that an effective decontamination regimen be instituted by those who use fabric lanyards, or that fabric lanyards be discarded altogether in preference for metal-bead lanyards or clip-on identity cards.

Recommendations for approaches to meticillin‐resistant staphylococcal infections of small animals: diagnosis, therapeutic considerations and preventative measures.

“…When possible, coats and scrubs should be laundered routinely in hospital rather than at home to reduce microbial contamination and take‐home exposures . Ties, scarves, lanyards and other accessories that may become contaminated should be covered by outer PPE or not worn …”

Identification badge lanyards as infection control risk: a cross-sectional observation study with epidemiological analysis

“…7 Pepper suggests that fabric lanyards should be laundered at least once every two months. 8 Some NHS hospitals already do not recommend lanyards for frontline staff but this is only on intuitive reasoning. The 8.8% positive S. aureus on general hospital staff lanyards compares with 18.6% in a study by Kotsanas within a group of doctors and nurses, and 2% in the study by Alexander.…”

Identity tags: A vector for cross-infection?

“…We showed that decontamination practices by 52% of staff were more prevalent than in previous reports (16% and 27%). [15,16] The tags that had never been cleaned were more likely to carry pathogenic growth. Also, there was a significant positive likelihood of pathogenic growth within the first 30 minutes of patient contact, irrespective of the nature of the patient contact.…”