February 10th, 2006
Hospital SuperBug Found on 96% of Doctors’ Mobile Phones
By Alice Hill
RealTechNews
I try to keep my conspiracy/germaphobe side clamped down (tin foil hats aside), but I found it interesting that just when they said it was safe to use a cell phone in a hospital, a new study has come out to let us know that the average cell phone carrried by a doctor is swarming with deadly bacteria. Of course this begs the obvious question: what about the doctor himself/herself and all of the millions of standard phones already in use?
A study conducted at the Craigavon Area Hospital Group Trust in Northern Ireland has found that the majority of mobile phones used by doctors and other health workers are carrying infectious pathogens, including on some phones the deadly hospital “superbug”, MRSA.
The discovery of MRSA on mobile phones that are then carried around the hospital is the issue that will cause the most concern. MRSA has been responsible for 116 deaths in Northern Ireland between 1997-2003. In total, just over 96% of phones demonstrated evidence of bacterial contamination, and 15 (14.3%) of the mobile phones sampled grew bacteria that are known to cause nosocomial infection. There was no significant difference between phone types - clam shells were no better or worse in the study than candy bar form handsets. Source: Cellular News via TechDirt
We Say: And if you really want to get all Howard Hughes, how about the study that found that hotel remote controls are covered in traces of human feces. Have a nice day!
Terry Hargens says:
So what about pagers, are they also full of BUGS?????
Terry Hargens
Nurse Anesthetist
February 12th, 2006 at 11:37 am
roger korny says:
The epedemeologist checked doctors neckties( they don’t change them often or clean them ever) and the ties were loaded with pathogens. This in a Hospital that I worked in for over 30 years.
February 12th, 2006 at 2:16 pm
RBRADY says:
Can I correct your article title in relation to our published paper. The hospital “superbug” is the nickname commonly attached to those bacteria known to cause nosocomial or hospital acquired infection. These were discovered on only 15 phones (14%) therefore your title is erroneous. The other bacteria grown are not commonly associated with hospital but are part of normal skin flora. Many thanks for your correction.
The Authors
February 13th, 2006 at 6:58 am
Isaac says:
Use the Original Mobile Phone Cleaning System to professionally kill and remove harmful bacteria including MRSA from your cellphones. For more information go to http://www.TheBacteriaKiller.com/
October 23rd, 2007 at 8:02 am
Alexandra Gorraiz says:
Me gustaria saber si conocen de articulos sobre el tema de las infecciones cruzadas relacionadas al uso de telefonos celulares en America Latina.
Gracias
Alexandra Gorraiz
Nurse in Infection Control
Colombia
December 17th, 2007 at 7:50 am
Alexandra Gorraiz says:
Me gustaria saber si conocen de articulos sobre el tema de las infecciones cruzadas relacionadas al uso de telefonos celulares en America Latina.
Gracias
Alexandra Gorraiz
Nurse in Infection Control
Colombia
December 17th, 2007 at 7:50 am
Balanced News Blog says:
MRSA Found on 96% of Doctors’ Mobile Phones…
A study conducted at the Craigavon Area Hospital Group Trust in Northern Ireland has found that the majority of mobile phones used by doctors and other health workers are carrying infectious pathogens, including on some phones the deadly hospital “su…
February 17th, 2008 at 8:58 am