Previous research has shown that high levels of germs are found in office workplaces and may contribute to an increased risk of bacterial and viral infection. Computers are commonly found in workplaces and hospitals and can be contaminated with potentially infectious germs. Now research reports that computer keyboards harbor infectious germs that can be removed with disinfectants.
The study, published in Infection Control and Hospital Epidemiology, investigated germ contamination and the effectiveness of disinfectants on computer keyboards at the University of North Carolina (UNC) Health Care System. UNC researchers collected samples from 25 computer keyboards at UNC's burn intensive care unit, cardiothoracic intensive care unit and six nursing units, and tested them for germs. They also inoculated keys on laptop computers with infectious bacteria including Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, and vancomycin-resistant enterococcus. After 45 minutes, the investigators used various disinfectants to remove the bacteria from the keyboards.
The researchers found that all of the computers had staph bacterium (coagulase-negative staphylococci), a common cause of infection in hospitalized patients. Furthermore, about 80 percent of computer keyboards harbored diphtheroids, which can infect patients with weakened immune systems. Findings also revealed that the disinfectants, including alcohol, chlorine, and the sterile water control, successfully decontaminated the keyboards. The keyboards were not damaged after 300 cleaning cycles.
"Our data suggest that microbial contamination of keyboards is prevalent and that keyboards may be successfully decontaminated with disinfectants," the study authors write. "Keyboards should be disinfected daily or when visibly soiled or if they become contaminated with blood."
REFERENCES:
1. Rutala WA et al. Bacterial Contamination of Keyboards: Efficacy and Functional Impact of Disinfectants. Infection Control and Hospital Epidemiology, 2006 Apr; 127: 372-377.
Posted by Elaine Gavalas on September 19, 2006 02:26 PM
