Open AccessBacterial Contamination of Computer and Hand Hygiene Compliance in the Emergency Department
Author(s) -
Hong DY,
Park SO,
Lee KR,
Baek KJ,
Moon HW,
Han SB,
Shin DH
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
hong kong journal of emergency medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.145
H-Index - 12
eISSN - 2309-5407
pISSN - 1024-9079
DOI - 10.1177/102490791201900603
Subject(s) - hygiene , medicine , gram staining , emergency department , infection control , cross infection , staphylococcus , contamination , microbiological culture , staphylococcus aureus , emergency medicine , medical emergency , microbiology and biotechnology , surgery , bacteria , nursing , pathology , biology , antibiotics , ecology , genetics
The aim of this study was to determine the degree and nature of bacterial contamination of computer equipment in three Korean emergency departments (ED). Methods Hand hygiene practices of ED doctors and nurses were observed before contact with computer equipment. Microbiological swab samples were obtained from 112 multiple‐user computer keyboards and electronic mice in the ED of three teaching hospitals. Isolated organisms were identified by a clinical microbiologist using Gram stain, colony morphology, and susceptibility test. Results Of the 112 samples, 103 (92.0%) showed growth of organisms on culture. Thirty‐eight (33.9%) pieces of computer equipment yielded multiple bacterial species. Coagulase‐negative Staphylococcus was the most common microorganism isolated (85.7%). Methicillin‐resistant Staphylococcus aureus was obtained from two keyboards in two hospitals (1.8%). Hand hygiene compliance was observed on 29.9% occasions. Hand hygiene compliance after patient contact (38.0%) was higher than after other environmental contact (20.7%). Conclusions Multiple user computer equipment in the ED may serve as reservoirs for nosocomial infection. Hand hygiene should be performed before and after using all ED equipment, including computer equipment.