Do mobile phone surfaces carry SARS-CoV-2 virus? A systematic review warranting the inclusion of a “6th” moment of hand hygiene in healthcare

Olsen, Matthew; Demaneuf, Thibaut; Singh, Gobinddeep; Goldsworthy, Adrian; Jones, Peter; Morgan, Mark; Nassar, Rania; Senok, Abiola; Ghemrawi, Rose; Almheiri, Reem; Marzooqi, Hussain Al; Almansoori, Sumaya; Albastaki, Abdullah; Almansoori, Rashid; McKirdy, Simon; Alghafri, Rashed; Tajouri, Lotti

doi:10.1016/j.jiph.2023.08.017

Cited by 2 publications

(3 citation statements)

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“…With this review, the authors emphasised the strong possibility for mobile phones bypassing hand hygiene and enhancing the rapid spread of SARS-CoV-2 globally. In 2023, the same research team published a systematic review of 15 studies of SARS-CoV-2 contamination on mobile phones, reporting an average mobile phone contamination rate of 45% [2]. Subsequent work reported that SARS-CoV-2 was found to be viable on mobile phones for up to 28 days [3].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Subsequent work reported that SARS-CoV-2 was found to be viable on mobile phones for up to 28 days [3]. Furthermore, viability cultures and metagenomic analysis of mobile phone derived swab samples from healthcare providers has demonstrated that these devices are an important fomite [2,[4][5][6][7]. In addition to the extensive microbial community detected, metagenomic-based studies have also uncovered a large resistome and virulome, comprising genes for antibiotic resistance and virulence factors, respectively [5].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The ndings from these studies indicate an urgent implementation of sanitization policies for mobile phones in healthcare, with novel technologies such as ultraviolet-C sanitization [14]. The need for a 6th moment of hand hygiene speci c to mobile phone sanitation to mitigate the risks posed by these devices in healthcare settings has been actively warranted as a means of infection control and prevention [2].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Mobile phone as fomites and Hand hygiene. A survey of 544 attendees of the 2023 WONCA international conference in Sydney, Australia

Goldsworthy,

Olsen,

Morgan

et al. 2024

Preprint

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Introduction. Increasingly, research involving the culture and metagenomic analysis of swabs from mobile phones suggests that these devices are important fomites with the potential to contribute to the dissemination of microbes, acquisition of nosocomial infections, development of antimicrobial resistance, and ultimately increased healthcare costs. Aim. This study aimed to conduct a survey of healthcare professionals attending an international general practice conference to assess their attitudes and opinions on mobile phone hygiene. Methods. A survey of 544 individuals attending an international general practice conference (WONCA) was undertaken in Sydney, Australia in October of 2023. Results. Most respondents (98%) agreed mobile phones harbour microorganisms. Furthermore, 84% supported the introduction of a "6th moment" in hand hygiene protocols, specifically targeting the sanitization of mobile phones. Conclusion. The findings underscore the necessity of incorporating mobile phone sanitization into hand hygiene practices to combat the spread and evolution of antimicrobial-resistant organisms. UV-C technology emerges as a promising approach for the efficient and effective disinfection of mobile phones in healthcare settings.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%