title: Bacterial colonization on writing pens touched by healthcare professionals and hospitalized patients with and without cleaning the pen with alcohol-based hand sanitizing agent.
abstract: This prospective study examined bacterial colonization on writing pens touched by healthcare professionals and hospitalized patients with and without cleaning the pen with alcohol-based hand sanitizing agent after each patient visit. A significant reduction in potential healthcare-associated pathogens, especially Gram-positive cocci, was observed in the intervention group.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Sciences and Administration, University of Houston College of Pharmacy, Houston, TX, USA.
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Halton
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Arora
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Singh
authors.forename: S S
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Ghantoji
authors.forename: D N
authors.initials: DN
authors.lastname: Shah
authors.forename: K W
authors.initials: KW
authors.lastname: Garey
mesh_terms: D000438:Alcohols / Q000494:pharmacology; D001419:Bacteria / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D004202:Disinfectants / Q000494:pharmacology; D004203:Disinfection / Q000379:methods; D050456:Fomites / Q000382:microbiology*; D006282:Health Personnel; D006761:Hospitals; D006801:Humans; D010361:Patients; D011446:Prospective Studies
chemical_list: D000438:Alcohols; D004202:Disinfectants