Hospital Keyboards May Harbor Bacteria

A new study reports that potentially pathogenic bacteria were found on more than 50% of computer keyboards tested at a major U.S. teaching hospital.

Twenty-five computer keyboards from various hospital areas were tested for microbial contamination using standard measures. The most common potential pathogen, coagulase-negative staphylococci, were found on all of the keyboards. Diphtheroids were found on 80% of keyboards, Micrococcus species on 72%, Bacillus species on 64%, nonfermentative Gram-negative rods on 36%, vancomycin-sensitive Enterococcus on 12%, Staphylococcus aureus (ORSA) on 4%, and oxacillin-susceptible S aureus on 4%.

In addition, the researchers determined the efficacy of various disinfectants and their cosmetic and functional effects on the keyboards. Six different disinfectants were tested against oxacillin-resistant ORSA, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus species that were inoculated onto study keyboards. All of the disinfectants tested were highly effective in removing or inactivating the test microbes. Even after 300 disinfection cycles, there was no evidence that the disinfectants were having a significant impact on keyboard finish or function. The study was published in the April 2006 issue of Infection Control and Hospital Epidemiology.

"It is known that keyboards have become reservoirs for pathogens due to increased use of computers in patient care areas,” said lead author Dr. William A. Rutala of the University of North Carolina (Chapel Hill, USA). "We're recommending that computer keyboards at hospitals be disinfected daily and when visibly soiled. The mobile computers that are made available to patients at some centers should be disinfected between patient users. Lastly, when physicians or other healthcare providers approach a computer in a patient care area, they should clean their hands first.”



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