Bacterial contamination of telephones in an intensive care unit.
Pathogenic and potentially pathogenic bacteria were found on telephones of an intensive care unit. Direct contamination by microorganisms from throats, hands, and noses of the staff members is real although airborne contamination would also play a role. The awareness of environmental risk in intensive care units is underlined.
D001207:Asepsis; D001431:Bacteriological Techniques; D002353:Carrier State / Q000382:microbiology; D003428:Cross Infection / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006801:Humans; D007362:Intensive Care Units; D010564:Personnel, Hospital; D013210:Staphylococcus / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D013689:Telephone