Potential role of cellphones in hospital acquired infections

Background and Objectives: The use of cellphones has increased as an easy mode of communication. Health Care Workers (HCW) have made it a potential fomite in transmission of Hospital Acquired Infections (HAI). At present there are no guidelines for the care and disinfection of cellphones in the health care setting. This study is aimed to determine the resident organisms, its frequency, antibiotic susceptibility and efficacy of isopropyl alcohol in disinfecting mobiles. Methods: Swabs from 100 cellphones were taken; 50 each from study and control group. Two samples were collected from each phone using sterile cotton swabs and cultured as per standard protocol. Phones were disinfected with 90% isopropyl alcohol using sterile gauze piece. Interpretation and Results: 70 % of cellphones of HCW were contaminated, with a predominance of Pseudomonas spp. - 71.4%. The disinfection procedure was effective only in 57% of cellphones.