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

Abstract

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.