Written by Chrystal Moulton, Staff Writer. Routine disinfection of cell phones by surgeons is needed to prevent the transfer of pathogenic bacteria in the operating room.
Previous research on the prevalence of hospital acquired infections says that about 1.7million nosocomial infections occur each year in the US alone and about 22% occur at surgical sites. 1 In a study conducted by the CDC comparing the rate of healthcare acquired infection in 2011 to 2014, overall incidence has decreased by 16% with pneumonia and surgical site infections as the most prevalent. 2 Currently, the CDC estimates that on any given day roughly 3% of hospital patients contract a nosocomial infection. 3 Efforts to increase cleanliness and sterilization have improved over the years 4,5, however, researchers in the current study wonder if more could be done. Cell phones, which are now used by healthcare providers are commonplace in the hospital setting both in patient rooms as well as the operating rooms. In the current study, researchers investigated the presence of microbes on cell phones used by doctors in the operating room and assessed a protocol for disinfecting cell phones as a preventative measure against nosocomial infection. 6
Fifty-three orthopedic surgeons participated in the study. Researchers swabbed each participants’ cell phone to test for the presence of pathogens using cultures as well as the effectiveness of a standard disinfecting protocol using bioluminescence. Upon initial meeting, researchers swabbed the cell phone of each participant. They then disinfected the cell phone using Bausch & Lomb Clens wipes, waited 5 minutes and swabbed the cell phones once more. During the 5 minute waiting period, a questionnaire was done to assess each individual’s cell phone habits and cleanliness. One week later, researchers met with each participant, swabbed their cell phones for cultures and bioluminescence, and conducted a questionnaire to determine any changes in cell phone habits and cleanliness.
Results from the initial cultures showed that pathogenic bacteria grew on 44 out of 53 participants” cell phones. Immediately after disinfection, pathogenic bacteria grew on 4 out of 53 cell phones and were present on 40 out of 53 cell phones one week later. Staphylococcus aureus was present on 4 phones both at initial swabbing and a week later. Bioluminescence results revealed this method as a good indicator of cleanliness. Researchers also noted the presence of bacteria on cell phones 1week later suggests the need for routine cleaning of cell phones used by orthopedic surgeons to prevent the growth and spread of bacteria in the operating room.
Source: Shakir, Irshad A., Nirav H. Patel, Robin R. Chamberland, and Scott G. Kaar. “Investigation of cell phones as a potential source of bacterial contamination in the operating room.” JBJS 97, no. 3 (2015): 225-231.
Copyright © 2015 By the Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery, Incorporated
Posted July 29, 2019.
Chrystal Moulton BA, PMP, is a 2008 graduate of the University of Illinois at Chicago. She graduated with a bachelor’s in psychology with a focus on premedical studies and is a licensed project manager. She currently resides in Indianapolis, IN.
References:
- Klevens RM, Edwards JR, Richards Jr CL, et al. Estimating health care-associated infections and deaths in US hospitals, 2002. Public health reports. 2007;122(2):160-166.
- Magill SS, O’Leary E, Janelle SJ, et al. Changes in prevalence of health care–associated infections in US Hospitals. New England Journal of Medicine. 2018;379(18):1732-1744.
- CDC. HAI and Antibiotic Use Prevalence Survey. 2014; This project examines the numbers and types of Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAIs), the types of antimicrobial drugs (such as antibiotics), and the reasons antimicrobial drugs are used in hospitals and nursing homes. This information will help create policies and procedures to make healthcare safer for patients in U.S. healthcare facilities. Available at: https://www.cdc.gov/hai/eip/antibiotic-use.html. Accessed July 23, 2019, 2019.
- Haque M, Sartelli M, McKimm J, Bakar MA. Health care-associated infections–an overview. Infection and drug resistance. 2018;11:2321.
- Charkowska A. Ensuring cleanliness in operating theatres. International Journal of Occupational Safety and Ergonomics. 2008;14(4):447-453.
- Shakir IA, Patel NH, Chamberland RR, Kaar SG. Investigation of cell phones as a potential source of bacterial contamination in the operating room. JBJS. 2015;97(3):225-231.
