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Is Your Computer a Vector in Nosocomial Transmission?

Colonization and infection with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) are becoming more common worldwide. In acute-care settings, MRSA transmission has been most closely associated with hand-to-hand transfer. British investigators report the evaluation of ward-based computer terminal keyboard contamination in 2 hospitals.

Medical and surgical acute-illness wards with comparable case-mixes were chosen. In both hospitals, the same investigator wiped bacteriology swabs over every key on each keyboard, each mouse, and each mouse pad. Rates of MRSA transmission in the 2 hospitals during 1999 were determined using the number of new MRSA inpatient cases identified by each hospital laboratory. Handwashing rates were estimated from paper towel consumption at each institution. In hospital A, MRSA was cultured from 5 of 12 computers (42 percent), compared with 1 of 13 computers (8 percent) from hospital B. MRSA transmission was significantly more common, and paper towel consumption was significantly lower in hospital A than in hospital B.

Comment: At the time of this investigation, neither hospital had a policy for cleaning computer terminals. For most cultures, MRSA associated with computers was detected only from enrichment broth, suggesting low levels of environmental contamination, as previously reported for pens, tourniquets, stethoscopes, and blood-pressure cuffs. The authors emphasize that infection-control interventions for MRSA should continue to focus on effective handwashing strategies.

— LM Mundy

Published in Journal Watch Infectious Diseases June 22, 2001

Citation(s):

Devine J et al. Is methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) contamination of ward-based computer terminals a surrogate marker for nosocomial MRSA transmission and handwashing compliance? J Hosp Infect 2001 May 48 72-75.

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