Mobile phones in clinical practice: Reducing the risk of bacterial contamination

Mark, D.; Leonard, Colin G; Breen, Helen; Graydon, R.; O'Gorman, Ciaran; Kirk, Stephen

doi:10.1016/j.ijsu.2014.07.026

Cited by 23 publications

(42 citation statements)

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“…3 More than 80% of HCW mobile phones showed some bacterial contamination and, most importantly,~20% carried pathogens that could potentially cause healthcare infections. Gram-positive preponderance, and specifically coagulase-negative staphylococci (CNS), was in agreement with the findings of other researchers [1][2][3][4][5][6][7] and in other pediatric wards. 8,9 Currently, no study has shown a direct relationship between mobile phone bacterial contamination and healthcare infections.…”

Section: Mobile Phone Microbial Contamination Among Neonatal Unit Heasupporting

confidence: 91%

“…First, according to the literature between 1990 and 2002 reviewed by Mattner and Gastmeier, 4 who have more closely reported the true values, the number of patients (survivors) included in outbreaks caused by propofol contamination was, in total, 92 patients (>>29 reported by Vonberg and Gastemeier) in 7 outbreaks (>6 reported by Vonberg and Gastemeier). 5 Second, as we discussed above, Bennet et al 3 reported 7 outbreaks traced to propofol contamination, including 62 patients and 2 deaths; …”

Section: Inconsistencies Regarding the Number Of Outbreaks And Mortalmentioning

confidence: 93%

“…[1][2][3][4][5][6] Because no study has concentrated on microbial contamination of HCW mobile phones in neonatal units, we investigated this contamination source in this specific environment. The study was carried out at the neonatal unit of the teaching hospital Umberto I in Rome, Italy.…”

Section: Mobile Phone Microbial Contamination Among Neonatal Unit Heamentioning

confidence: 99%

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Mobile Phone Microbial Contamination Among Neonatal Unit Healthcare Workers

Orsi

Natale

d’Ettorre

et al. 2015

Infect. Control Hosp. Epidemiol.

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that included two proprietary chemicals and silver embedded into the fabric. Cultures of the pocket, sleeve cuff, thigh, and wrist were taken before the scrub attire was donned and at the end of the day after patient care. The researchers found that, at the end of an 8-hour work day, wearing the antimicrobial scrub attire did not decrease bacterial or antibiotic-resistant microbial contamination of the HCWs' scrub attire.In another study of silver impregnated scrubs versus standard scrubs, Gross et al 5 conducted a study in the emergency medical setting to compare the contamination rates of newly developed silver thread-hybrid clothing with that of standard textile clothing. Samples were taken from jackets and pants of 10 emergency workers at day 0 (preservice), day 3 after use, and day 7 after use over a divided 4-week period to test this hypothesis. No significant difference in the extent of microbial contamination was detected between these 2 materials.These studies suggest that the presence of a fluid barrier, the type of fabric, the active antimicrobial ingredient, the onset of action, kill time, and nonleaching characteristics of the fabric and technology should be carefully assessed to ensure effectiveness and safety. This is, as Ms. Boutin points out, definitely an issue that warrants further research. acknowledgments

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Section: Mobile Phone Microbial Contamination Among Neonatal Unit Heasupporting

confidence: 91%

Section: Inconsistencies Regarding the Number Of Outbreaks And Mortalmentioning

confidence: 93%

See 1 more Smart Citation

Mobile Phone Microbial Contamination Among Neonatal Unit Healthcare Workers

Orsi

Natale

d’Ettorre

et al. 2015

Infect. Control Hosp. Epidemiol.

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

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“…Pal et al [8] and Mark et al [18] indicated that TMPs were less contaminated than KMPs, and they were less likely to harbour pathogenic bacteria in the clinical setting. We hypothesized that TMPs would harbour less dirt and microorganisms due to their smooth surface, and KMPs would harbour more contaminating material due to the spaces between the buttons allowing accumulation of dirt and microorganisms.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Comparison of keypads and touch-screen mobile phones/devices as potential risk for microbial contamination

Köroğlu

Günal

Yıldız

et al. 2015

J Infect Dev Ctries

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Introduction: Touch-screen mobile phones/devices (TMPs/Ds) are increasingly used in hospitals. They may act as a mobile reservoir for microbial pathogens. The rates of microbial contamination of TMPs/Ds and keypad mobile phones (KMPs) with respect to different variables including use by healthcare workers (HCWs)/non-HCWs and the demographic characteristics of users were investigated. Methodology: A total of 205 mobile phones/devices were screened for microbial contamination: 76 devices belonged to HCWs and 129 devices belonged to the non-HCW group. By rubbing swabs to front screen, back, keypad, and metallic surfaces of devices, 444 samples were collected. Results: Of 205 mobile phones/devices, 143 (97.9%) of the TMPs/Ds and 58 (98.3%) of the KMPs were positive for microbial contamination, and there were no significant differences in contamination rates between these groups, although TMPs/Ds had significantly higher microbial load than KMPs (p <0.05). The significant difference in this analysis was attributable to the screen size of mobile phones ≥ 5". Microbial contamination rates increased significantly as phone size increased (p <0.05). Higher numbers of coagulase-negative Staphylococci (CNS) were isolated from KMPs than TMPs/Ds (p = 0.049). The incidence of Enterococcus spp. was higher on the KMPs of HCWs, and methicillin resistant CNS was higher from the TMPs/Ds of non-HCWs (p <0.05). Isolation of CNS, Streptococcus spp. and Escherichia coli was higher from the TMPs/Ds of HCWs (p <0.05). Conclusions: We found no significant difference between TMP/Ds and KMPs in terms of microbial contamination, but TMP/Ds harboured more colonies and total microbial counts increased with screen size.

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“…Mark and colleagues add to the recent body of evidence that explores cell phones as fomites in the healthcare environment. The authors examined 50 touch screen mobile phones from healthcare workers in multidisciplinary surgical unit teams at a hospital in Ireland.…”

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confidence: 99%