Vincenza La Fauci
Department of Biomedical Sciences and Morphological and Functional Images, A.O.U. Policlinico "G. Martino", Torre Biologica 1 Piano,Via Consolare Valeria,98125 MESSINA,
Italy
Research Article
The Possible Role of Mobile Phones in Spreading Microorganisms in
Hospitals
Author(s): Vincenza La Fauci, Orazio Claudio Grillo, Alessio Facciolà, Vincenzo Merlina and Raffaele SqueriVincenza La Fauci, Orazio Claudio Grillo, Alessio Facciolà, Vincenzo Merlina and Raffaele Squeri
Mobile phones belonging to healthcare workers and inpatients represent a potential source of microorganisms, some being well-known sources of hospital infections. The aim of this study was to determine the extent of contamination of the hands and mobile phones of healthcare workers and inpatients. The study comprised 200 healthcare workers and 100 inpatients of the University Hospital in Messina (Italy) between April 1 and June 31, 2013. Bacterial contamination was detected on 230 mobile phones (76.6%) and on 250 hands (83.3%). The most frequently isolated bacteria belonged to the Staphylococcus genus. For hospital staff, 78% of mobile phones and 86% of hands were found to be contaminated. Similar results were obtained for inpatients whose mobile phones tested positive in 74% of cases, while for hands the rate was 78%. These findings are in line with international literature and demon.. View More»
DOI:
10.4172/1948-5948.1000164