Are healthcare workers’ mobile phones a potential source of nosocomial infections? Review of the literature

Authors

  • Fatma Ulger Ondokuz Mayis University School of Medicine, Samsun, Turkey
  • Ahmet Dilek Ondokuz Mayis University School of Medicine, Samsun, Turkey
  • Saban Esen Ondokuz Mayis University School of Medicine, Samsun, Turkey
  • Mustafa Sunbul Ondokuz Mayis University School of Medicine, Samsun, Turkey
  • Hakan Leblebicioglu Ondokuz Mayis University School of Medicine, Samsun, Turkey

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.3855/jidc.6104

Keywords:

healthcare workers, mobile phones, bacteria, nosocomial infection, contamination

Abstract

Mobile communication devices help accelerate in-hospital flow of medical information, information sharing and querying, and contribute to communications in the event of emergencies through their application and access to wireless media technology. Healthcare-associated infections remain a leading and high-cost problem of global health systems despite improvements in modern therapies.

The objective of this article was to review different studies on the relationship between mobile phones (MPs) and bacterial cross-contamination and report common findings.

Thirty-nine studies published between 2005 and 2013 were reviewed. Of these, 19 (48.7%) identified coagulase-negative staphylococci (CoNS), and 26 (66.7%) identified Staphylococcus aureus; frequency of growth varied. The use of MPs by healthcare workers increases the risk of repetitive cyclic contamination between the hands and face (e.g., nose, ears, and lips), and differences in personal hygiene and behaviors can further contribute to the risks.

MPs are rarely cleaned after handling. They may transmit microorganisms, including multiple resistant strains, after contact with patients, and can be a source of bacterial cross-contamination. To prevent bacterial contamination of MPs, hand-washing guidelines must be followed and technical standards for prevention strategies should be developed.

Author Biographies

Fatma Ulger, Ondokuz Mayis University School of Medicine, Samsun, Turkey

Associate Professor, MD.

Department of Anesthesiology and Reanimation, Faculty of Medicine

Ahmet Dilek, Ondokuz Mayis University School of Medicine, Samsun, Turkey

Associate Professor, MD.

Department of Anesthesiology and Reanimation, Faculty of Medicine

Saban Esen, Ondokuz Mayis University School of Medicine, Samsun, Turkey

Professor in Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, MD.

Department of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Medicine

Mustafa Sunbul, Ondokuz Mayis University School of Medicine, Samsun, Turkey

Professor in Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, MD.

Department of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Medicine

Hakan Leblebicioglu, Ondokuz Mayis University School of Medicine, Samsun, Turkey

Professor in Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, MD.

Department of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Medicine

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Published

2015-10-29

How to Cite

1.
Ulger F, Dilek A, Esen S, Sunbul M, Leblebicioglu H (2015) Are healthcare workers’ mobile phones a potential source of nosocomial infections? Review of the literature. J Infect Dev Ctries 9:1046–1053. doi: 10.3855/jidc.6104

Issue

Section

Reviews