Shining a light on the pathogenicity of health care providers' mobile phones: Use of a novel ultraviolet-C wave disinfection device

Abstract

Background: Mobile phones are known to carry pathogenic bacteria and viruses on their surfaces, posing a risk to healthcare providers (HCPs) and hospital infection prevention efforts. We utilize an Ultraviolet-C (UV-C) device to provide an effective method for mobile phone disinfection and survey HCPs about infection risk. Methods: Environmental swabs were used to culture HCPs' personal mobile phone surfaces. Four cultures were obtained per phone: before and after the UV-C device's 30-second disinfecting cycle, at the beginning and end of a 12-hour shift. Surveys were administered to participants pre-and poststudy. Results: Total bacterial colony forming units were reduced by 90.5% (P = .006) after one UV-C disinfection cycle, and by 99.9% (P = .004) after 2 cycles. Total pathogenic bacterial colony forming units were decreased by 98.2% (P = .038) after one and >99.99% (P = .037) after 2 disinfection cycles. All survey respondents were willing to use the UV-C device daily to weekly, finding it convenient and beneficial. Discussion: This novel UV-C disinfecting device is effective in reducing pathogenic bacteria on mobile phones. HCPs would frequently use a phone disinfecting device to reduce infection risk. Conclusions: In light of the ongoing coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, a standardized approach to phone disinfection may be valuable in preventing healthcare-associated infections.

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“…In the 2020 emergency context, the use of UV light has been assessed for sterilization of personal protective equipment to be reused [ 93 ], for example, to reduce contamination on respirators [ [94] , [95] , [96] , [97] ]. New protocols for infection control and operating room management in hospital environment were proposed [ 98 ], as well as the use of UV light devices for the inactivation of SARS-CoV-2 on everyday objects [ 99 ]. Outside the healthcare sector, further evidence and updated recommendations are needed before employing UV-based technologies at larger scales, including household environments and public transports, monitoring and controlling improper installation and use by untrained and unexperienced subjects [ 100 , 101 ].…”

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“…Germicidal UVC (254 nm) has photoinactivation effects on coronaviruses ( 74 ). It is been proposed as a means of inactivating SARS-CoV-2 in food ( 75 ), medical air ( 76 ), medical equipment [e.g., phototherapy units ( 77 )], hospital waste and wastewater ( 78 ), personal protective equipment [e.g., N95 respirators ( 79 , 80 )] and mobile phones ( 81 ). UVC may effectively decontaminate N95 respirators, but over time could impact their integrity and wear-ability ( 82 ).…”

Do UV LED Devices Immolate SARS-CoV2?

“…There results suggest that UVC technology is a potentially important component of eliminating the environment as a source of viral infections when used as long-term. Furthermore, the work of Malhotra et al [20] in using UVC for pathogenicity of health care providers' mobile phones was conducted before and after the UVC device's 30-sec disinfecting cycle, at the beginning and end of a 12-hour shift.…”