Infection Control Study

The following article is taken from a recent study in medical facilities.

Study Finds Hospital Computer Keyboards Can Spread Germs, April 11, 2005 consumeraffairs.com

As computers spread throughout hospitals, so do nesting spots for potentially deadly bacteria, a study finds. Researchers at Chicago’s Northwestern memorial hospital say computer keyboards can harbour dangerous germs for as long as 24 hours.

Research teams at the hospital contaminated keyboards with three types of bacteria that can cause life threatening infections in severely ill hospital patients. They found that the bacteria known as VRE and MRSA survived for at least 24 hours, while PSAE survived for an hour. When volunteers tapped a key contaminated with MRSA the bacteria spread to their hands 92% of the time. Contamination rates were lower for the other two bacteria – 50% for VRE and 18% for PSAE.

The bacteria are generally harmless to healthy people, although one can cause skin rash, boils and blisters. The problem is likely to grow as hospitals continue their switch to electronic records. Computers are rapidly spreading throughout hospitals and are increasingly found in patient rooms. Doctors, nurses and others who come in contact with patients are supposed to wash their hands both before and after touching patients.

The lead researcher, Dr Gary Noskin, says they may also have to wash before and after using the computer. The results of the study were presented at a meeting in Los Angeles of the Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America. Noskin noted that, while the study applies to hospitals, the results also raise concerns for computers in schools and offices. He said sharing keyboards could spread cold and flu viruses, although this has yet to be proven in a controlled study. Also unclear is the best procedure for disinfecting keyboards.

**KLEEN KEYS MEDICAL /INDUSTRIAL KEYBOARDS CAN BE CLEANED AND DISINFECTED WITHOUT DAMAGE. View more here