Computer keyboards and faucet handles as reservoirs of nosocomial pathogens in the intensive care unit

S, Bures; Fishbain, Joel T.; Uyehara, Catherine F. T.; Parker, J.D.; Berg, Benjamin W.

doi:10.1067/mic.2000.107267

Cited by 282 publications

(215 citation statements)

References 13 publications

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“…7 Other researchers recommended that disinfection must be applied on computer keyboards that are in use in patient care areas. 4,18,19 Tunc & Olgun 5 recommended the use of hand-free telecommunication devices with magnetic card or voice activation to reduce bacterial contaminations from the use of public telephones. 5 Other suggested techniques to decrease bacterial contaminations include use of antimicrobial additive materials and surface coatings to fabricate telephones, door knobs, fabrics and various building materials.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…1,2 Recent epidemiological studies have reported fomites in the transmission of human pathogens within high-exposure environments such as hospitals, child-care facilities, long-term care facilities, and sports facilities. 3,4 Various types of microorganisms were identified, including rotavirus, rhinovirus, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), and Serratia marcescens, to cause gastrointestinal diseases, the common cold, necrotizing fasciitis, and catheter associated bacteremia, respectively. 4 Microbial contaminations are widely reported in different indoor and outdoor environments.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…3,4 Various types of microorganisms were identified, including rotavirus, rhinovirus, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), and Serratia marcescens, to cause gastrointestinal diseases, the common cold, necrotizing fasciitis, and catheter associated bacteremia, respectively. 4 Microbial contaminations are widely reported in different indoor and outdoor environments. Tunc & Olgun 5 investigated the bacterial contaminations of 50 public telephones in Afyon city, Turkey.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Evaluation of Microbial Contamination in Frequently Used Fomites in Kuwait

Al‐Harbi

Anderson

Elmi

2017

BIJ

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The occurrence of potential pathogens and the levels of contamination at individual sites, particularly in fitness club, gas station, home, hospital, and supermarket in Kuwait is described in this paper. The samples were collected using sterile swab sticks. Results obtained showed the highest bacterial count of 2.8 log10 CFU/ml in bathroom doorknobs at gas station, while the least was obtained from pantry in hospital with 1.3 log10 CFU/ml. Prevalent isolated bacterial contaminants were Staphylococcus epidermidis (34%), followed by Enterococcus faecalis (26%), Staphylococcus aureus (14%), Escherichia coli (10%), Streptococcus pyogenes and Pseudomonas alcaligenes (4%), Streptococcus agalactiae, Klebsiella oxytoca, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (2%). Eighty percent of all swab samples cultured were gram positive and 20% were gram negative bacteria. The types and numbers of diseasecausing microbes reported in previous epidemiological studies were also found in this study. Appropriate hygienic measures to suppress any potential microbial crosscontamination are therefore needed. It is also imperative to conduct regular testing to check for bacterial contamination and increase community awareness and education for hygienic standards.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Evaluation of Microbial Contamination in Frequently Used Fomites in Kuwait

Al‐Harbi

Anderson

Elmi

2017

BIJ

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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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“…There are already publications available that show a positive effect of copper surfaces in intensive care units reducing nosocomial infection rates. [1] The antimicrobial activity of the metal ions e.g. of silver is attributed to the fact that the vital functions of microorganisms are disturbed by the metal ions.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Comparison of the effectiveness of different antimicrobial surface technologies

Buhl

Käs

Stich

et al. 2017

Current Directions in Biomedical Engineering

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Abstract:The risk of infection via microbiologically contaminated surfaces has already been demonstrated by other publications. In this work two different antibacterial surface technologies transition metalloacids (AMiSTec) and TiO2/AgNO3 (Health Complete) were compared regarding feasibility as well as their advantages and disadvantages. The examination of the antimicrobial activity was assessed according to the JIS Z 2801. We could demonstrate that all of our tested samples showed a strong antimicrobial activity (>log 3 germ reduction) in the JIS experiments. Furthermore this strong antibacterial effect could be shown already after <30min incubation and at low light intensity (approx. 300 Lux) for the TiO 2 /AgNO 3 samples. Both technologies provide a high potential for an improved infection control for example in a high risk environment like operation rooms or intensive care units.

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Computer keyboards and faucet handles as reservoirs of nosocomial pathogens in the intensive care unit

Cited by 282 publications

References 13 publications

Evaluation of Microbial Contamination in Frequently Used Fomites in Kuwait

Evaluation of Microbial Contamination in Frequently Used Fomites in Kuwait

Public computer surfaces are reservoirs for methicillin-resistant staphylococci

Comparison of the effectiveness of different antimicrobial surface technologies

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