Bacterial contamination of hospital pagers.
We assessed the bacterial contamination of the pagers of healthcare personnel and the efficacy of disinfection with 70% isopropyl alcohol. Microorganisms were isolated from all pagers; 21% yielded Staphylococcus aureus, of which 14% were methicillin resistant. Cleaning with alcohol reduced the total colony count by an average of 94%. Bacterial load varied by healthcare worker group and service assignment.
Singh
Deepjot
D
Department of Internal Medicine, Akron General Medical Center, Ohio 44307, USA.
Kaur
Hanspreet
H
Gardner
William G
WG
Treen
Lisa B
LB
D019840:2-Propanol; D001419:Bacteria / Q000254:growth & development*; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D015169:Colony Count, Microbial; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004197:Disease Reservoirs / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D004203:Disinfection / Q000379:methods; D004351:Drug Resistance; D004784:Environmental Monitoring / Q000379:methods; D004866:Equipment Contamination / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006747:Hospital Communication Systems / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006764:Hospitals, Community; D006784:Hospitals, Teaching; D006801:Humans; D017053:Infection Control / Q000379:methods; D010564:Personnel, Hospital; D011446:Prospective Studies; D014193:Trauma Centers
D019840:2-Propanol