Mobile Phones: A Potential Source of Nosocomial Infection in the Hands of Health care Workers – A Narrative Review

Abstract

Cell phones are nonmedical portable electronic devices that are widely used by the health care workers. It remains in close contact with the body but not cleaned properly, as health care workers’ may not wash their hands as often as they should and there are no guidelines regarding the cleaning of mobile phones. These mobile phones can contain multiple potential pathogens and become an exogenous source of nosocomial infection for hospitalized patients and also a potential health hazard for the family members and mobile phone owners. Studies have reported the presence of Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus spp., Clostridium difficile, Acinetobacter spp., and norovirus. Colonized micro-organisms in the devices of health-care personnel may be transmitted to patient even if patients do not have direct contact with mobile phones. Nosocomial infection may be caused in patients with weak immune system. Hence, to prevent bacterial contamination of mobile phones, hand-washing guidelines must be followed by all the health-care workers and technical standards for prevention strategies should be developed. Regular disinfection of mobile phones is an important step in preventing cross infection.

Key words: Mobile phones, Health care workers, Nosocomial infections, Pathogens, Decontamination