Bacteria and Mobile Devices

I really see us moving beyond COWs (computers-on-wheels) and an explosion in use of mobile devices (smartphones, tablets, etc) in healthcare environments. But, I would be remiss if the Environment of Care professional in me didn’t speak up on the subject of bacteria and mobile devices.

Our healthcare organizations have made progress with nosocomial infections, but we also now have MRSA infections. Over the years we have swabbed COWs, door handles, elevator buttons and stair railings to demonstrate just how bacteria can move around the facility by staff, visitors and patients.

We now have to up our efforts for preventing the spread of infection by addressing all of those personal devices being used by physicians and staff (to access the organization’s EHR or resources), patients, and visitors in healthcare environments. So, cleaning devices needs to be added to protocols along with handwashing, wearing gloves and other precautions.