Bacterial Contamination on Electronic Surfaces in ICU

Abstract

Bacteria, especially MDR isolates, can infect inanimate surfaces and equipment in ICUs (such as bedrails, stethoscopes, medical charts, and ultrasound machines). Transmission of microbes from inanimate surfaces may play a major role in the colonization and infection of patients in intensive care units. Healthcare worker hands and patient discharge both have the potential to spread germs, which can live for months on dry surfaces. It has been reported that the rate of environmental contamination is higher near infected individuals than it is near colonized patients, and that within the latter group, there is a link between the frequency of environmental contamination and culture-positive body locations. In addition to acquiring germs from direct patient contact, healthcare personnel can pick them up through inanimate surfaces and equipment in the patient zone. Patient colonization or infection can occur if healthcare workers don't properly clean their hands before and after handling patients. Several pieces of equipment and frequently used objects in the intensive care unit (ICU) include bacteria with antibiotic susceptibility profiles that are quite similar to those of germs isolated from patients. In light of the patient-zone concept and the potential consequences for bacterial pathogen cross-transmission to critically ill patients, this review aims to present up-to-date knowledge concerning the contamination of inanimate surfaces and equipment in ICUs.