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Mice in the emergency department: vector for infection or technological aid?
John Gray1, Brian Mc Nicholl, Hugh Webb
1Accident and Emergency Department, The Royal Victoria Hospital, The Royals Hospital Trust, Belfast, UK. jmcgray@fsmail.net
Objective:
To study the type of bacterial flora present on computer mice in an emergency department.
Methods:
Computer mice in the emergency department of a single institution, were swabbed on three separate occasions over a 12-month period. Swabs were plated out on McConkey agar and blood agar. Isolated organisms were identified by senior laboratory personnel using Gram stain, colony morphology and susceptibility testing.
Results:
No methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus was identified on the equipment. Two samples cultured methicillin-sensitive coagulase positive staphylococci. A range of other organisms were identified.
Conclusions:
In contrast to studies in other hospital departments, no methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus was identified on computer mice in the emergency department. These results suggest that mouse operated software is not adding to infection control problems in relation to methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus in this environment.
