While previous studies have shown smartphones have some contamination with nosocomial bacteria, a recent study of phones used in clinical settings showed no contamination of nosocomial bacteria — and the reason why is proper hand hygiene.
In the study, researchers swabbed 50 phones from members of a team working in a surgical unit for bacteria contaminants. They also surveyed 150 healthcare workers on their phone usage.
While 60 percent of the phones had some contaminant, no pathogenic or drug resistant strains of bacteria were identified, and 20 of the phones had no cultures at all.
To understand why no nosocomial bacteria were found on the phones, the researchers did a root cause analysis, according to an iMedicalApps report. They found that hand hygiene compliance in the surgical unit in question exceeded 97 percent.
"Touch screen smartphones may be used safety in a clinical environment, with a low risk of cross-contamination of nosocomial bacteria to patients, in the setting of effective adherence to hand hygiene policies," the researchers concluded.
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