Computer keyboards and the spread of MRSA

Wilson, A.P.R.; Hayman, Samantha; Folan, Patricia; Ostro, P; Birkett, Ashley; Batson, S; Singer, Mervyn; Bellingan, Geoffrey

doi:10.1016/j.jhin.2005.09.007

Cited by 32 publications

(18 citation statements)

References 7 publications

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“…Several studies have also investigated the effectiveness of liquid products to disinfect computer keyboards [2,7] . Advances in this field include computer keyboards without spaces between the keys, with their surface being completely sealed, and those made of special materials, such as washable keyboards that can be immersed in water [13,14] .…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Although these new keyboards and handsets could be used in new health environments, it is difficult to quickly replace devices already in use. Liquid compounds, such as ethyl alcohol, may cause aesthetic and functional damage [2,7] , such as short circuiting keyboards. The DT tested in this study did not leave computer keyboards and telephone handsets wet.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…For this study, computers and telephones were analyzed because these objects are actually ubiquitous with an increasing trend in medical settings. Some studies showed that they may act as vehicles to transmit hospital infections [6][7][8] . In fact, in hospital disinfection practices, staff should pay attention not only to medical devices, but also to objects that are not closely related to health activities, such as computers or telephones.…”

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confidence: 99%

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Impact of a disinfecting technique on microbial contamination of computer keyboards and telephone handsets

Messina

Ceriale

Burgassi

et al. 2013

JHA

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Background: Computers and telephones are ubiquitous in the hospital and have been shown to be contaminated with potentially pathogenic microorganism. The aim of the study was to determine microbial contamination on computer keyboards and telephone handsets and the effectiveness of a disinfecting technique (DT). Methods:A matched cross-over study, involving an overall of 50 computer keyboards and 50 telephone handsets, was conducted in three hospitals, located in the Local Health Area of Siena (Italy) before and after the use of an innovative DT consisting of a malleable-elastic compound, containing ethanol, which adheres to surfaces, removes dirt and disinfects. Total bacterial count was evaluated and several types of bacteria and fungi were researched pre-and post-use of the DT. Non parametric tests: Wilcoxon signed rank and Mann Whitney, were used, when appropriate. Results:The DT was effective in disinfecting the objects. In fact, Colony-Forming Units (CFUs) decreased to zero in most comparisons. All the comparisons showed significant differences (p<0.001) after the DT, both for computer keyboards and telephone handsets. The only exception was found for molds in telephones (p=0.062). Keyboards emerged to be dirtier than telephones handsets (p<0.05) for several types of bacteria. Conclusions:The data suggest that microbial contamination of keyboards and telephones is considerable. These objects can be a vehicle for Health Care-Associated Infections HAIs and their disinfection should not be neglected. The DT showed to be appropriate for the disinfecting purpose.

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Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

mentioning

confidence: 99%

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Impact of a disinfecting technique on microbial contamination of computer keyboards and telephone handsets

Messina

Ceriale

Burgassi

et al. 2013

JHA

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“…Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) has emerged as a significant nosocomial infectious threat, prompting several studies that have identified MRSA reservoirs in the hospital setting including bed rails, countertops, floors, bed linens, tables and blood pressure cuffs (Boyce et al, 1997;Blythe et al, 1998). Because of frequent dermal contact by numerous users, one reservoir of interest is computer keyboards, which have been shown to harbor MRSA in the hospital setting (Bures et al, 2000;Devine et al, 2001;Neely et al, 2005;Wilson et al, 2006). Of increasing concern, however, is the role of keyboards in the non-hospital environment as pathogen reservoirs.…”

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confidence: 99%

Public computer surfaces are reservoirs for methicillin-resistant staphylococci

2007

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The role of computer keyboards used by students of a metropolitan university as reservoirs of antibiotic-resistant staphylococci was determined. Putative methicillin (oxacillin)-resistant staphylococci isolates were identified from keyboard swabs following a combination of biochemical and genetic analyses. Of 24 keyboards surveyed, 17 were contaminated with staphylococci that grew in the presence of oxacillin (2 mg l À1 ). Methicillin (oxacillin)-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), -S. epidermidis (MRSE) and -S. hominis (MRSH) were present on two, five and two keyboards, respectively, while all three staphylococci co-contaminated one keyboard. Furthermore, these were found to be part of a greater community of oxacillin-resistant bacteria. Combined with the broad user base common to public computers, the presence of antibiotic-resistant staphylococci on keyboard surfaces might impact the transmission and prevalence of pathogens throughout the community.

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“…Because of frequent-dermal contact by numerous users, microbial reservoirs of interest includes the computer keyboard and mouse (Neely et al, 2005a;Wilson et al, 2006). Anderson and Palambo (2009) documented that the average number of microorganisms present on multiple-user computer keyboards was significantly greater than on singleuser keyboards.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Bacteriological Examination of Computer Keyboards and Mouse Devices and Their Susceptibility Patterns to Disinfectants

Chimezie¹

2013

American Journal of Microbiology

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Computers are ubiquitous and have been shown to be contaminated with potentially pathogenic bacteria in some communities. There is no economical way to test all the keyboards and mouse out there, but there are common-sense ways to prevent bacterial contamination or eliminate it if it exists. In this study, swabs specimens were collected from surfaces of 250 computer keyboards and mouse and plated on different bacteriological media. Organisms growing on the media were purified and identified using microbiological standards. It was found that all the tested computer keyboards and mouse devices, were positive for microbial contamination. The percentages of isolated bacteria (Staphylococcus spp., Escherichia spp., Pseudomonas spp. and Bacillus spp.) were 43.3, 40.9, 30.7, 34.1, 18.3, 18.2, 7.7 and 6.8% for computer keyboards and mouse respectively. The isolated bacteria were tested against the 6 different disinfectants (Dettol, Isol, Izal, JIK, Purit and Septol ® ). Antibacterial effects of the disinfectants were also concentration dependent. The agar well diffusion technique for determining Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) was employed. The Killing rate (K) and Decimal Reduction Time (DRT) of the disinfectants on the organism were also determined. The overall result of this study showed that Dettol ® , followed by JIK ® was highly effective against all the bacterial isolates tested while Septol and Izal ® were least effective. Isol and Purit ® showed moderate antibacterial effects. Keyboards and mouse should be disinfected daily. However, it is recommended that heightened surveillance of the microbial examination of computer keyboards should be undertaken at predetermined intervals.

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Computer keyboards and the spread of MRSA

Cited by 32 publications

References 7 publications

Impact of a disinfecting technique on microbial contamination of computer keyboards and telephone handsets

Impact of a disinfecting technique on microbial contamination of computer keyboards and telephone handsets

Public computer surfaces are reservoirs for methicillin-resistant staphylococci

Bacteriological Examination of Computer Keyboards and Mouse Devices and Their Susceptibility Patterns to Disinfectants

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