Touch Screens, Keyboards and Cross-Contamination Issues

No matter what technology is available on the marketplace, experts remind healthcare workers that the value of consistent hand hygiene cannot be minimized in the fight against hand carriage of pathogens from contaminated surfaces. Rutala et al.² advise, “The risk of transmission from contaminated keyboards would be eliminated if staff performed hand hygiene after contact with inanimate objects in the patient care environment.” Absent this intervention, Rutala et al.² advocate for routine disinfection of computer keyboards that are used in patient-care areas. They note, “Computers in these areas should be disinfected daily and when visibly soiled. In an effort to prevent contamination of computers, healthcare personnel should not touch computer keyboards with contaminated hands. If a keyboard cover is used, we suggest that it should be disinfected using these same recommendations. Additionally, mobile computers used by patients should be disinfected between patient uses. Ideally, computers used by a patient under isolation precautions should remain in the patient’s room until no longer needed and should then be disinfected before use by another person. Our data demonstrate that keyboards can be safely and successfully decontaminated with disinfectants.” ICT

References:

1. Medaris K. Biometric sensors no dirtier than doorknobs, study finds. Oct. 10, 2007. Purdue University news accessed at: http://www.purdue.edu/uns/x/2007b/071010ElliottGerms.html

2. Rutala WA, White MS, Gergen MF, Weber DJ. Bacterial contamination of keyboards: efficacy and functional impact of disinfectants. Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol. 2006;27:372–377.

3. Hartmann B, Benson M, Junger A, Quinzio L, Rainer R, Fengler B. Computer keyboard and mouse as a reservoir of pathogens in an intensive care unit. J Clin Monitoring and Computing. Vol. 18, No. 1. February 2004.

4. Bures S, Fishbain JT, Uyehara C, Parker JM, Berg B. Computer keyboards and faucet handles as reservoirs of nosocomial pathogens in the intensive care unit. Am J Infection Control. 28(6):465-471. December 2000.