Mobile phones provide a fast way to share news and information needed on the job in a timely manner. They also expose people using them to disease-bearing bacteria.
Researchers in Turkey found that harmful bacteria, including methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) had contaminated 95 percent of the phones of doctors and nurses working in hospitals. Their research also uncovered the fact that only 10 percent of the staff regularly cleaned their phones.
“Our results suggest cross-contamination of bacteria between the hands of health care workers and their mobile phones. These mobile phones could act as a reservoir of infection which may facilitate patient-to-patient transmission of bacteria in a hospital setting,” the authors wrote in their study, published online in the Annals of Clinical Microbiology and Antimicrobials.
The study involved 200 healthcare workers, 200 samples that were taken from their hands and from the mobile phone they used.
Other electronic objects such as computer keyboards have been examined in previous studies. They did show a high rate of contamination by bacteria, but almost no presence of the methicillin-resident (MRSA) bacteria that was prevalent on the hand-held phones.
Why are mobile phones more likely to have MRSA bacteria than stationary objects such as computers or desktops? The authors suggested that mobile phones are ideal for spreading the germs because every phone call puts the device in physical contact with hands that may be contaminated. The germs are rapidly carried by the hands to the mouth, nose, ears, and other body parts and then shared with patients or others that come in contact with the worker.
Some ways to reduce the spread of MRSA and other bacteria-caused disease by mobile phone use, especially in healthcare facilities, include the following:
- Observing strict infection-control procedures
- Setting up a schedule for routinely decontaminating all mobile phones with alcohol containing disinfectants
- Habitual use of regular cleaning agents
Prevention is on the horizon. Telephones may be manufactured soon containing special additive materials that would destroy any harmful bacteria.
As is often the case, common sense works best. Wash hands with soap and water. Disinfect with an alcohol-based material. Wipe off telephones with a cloth dampened in an antisceptic solution. And do it on a scheduled basis, several times a day.
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