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Updated: Jun 19, 2026
Biosensor for Detection of Antibiotic Resistant Staphylococcus Bacteria
Published on: May 8, 2013
Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and Acinetobacter baumannii on computer interface surfaces of hospital
Po-Liang Lu1, L K Siu, Tun-Chieh Chen
1Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Taiwan, Republic of China. idpaul@gmail.com
Background:
Computer keyboards and mice are potential reservoirs of nosocomial pathogens, but routine disinfection for non-water-proof computer devices is a problem. With better hand hygiene compliance of health-care workers (HCWs), the impact of these potential sources of contamination on clinical infection needs to be clarified.
Methods:
This study was conducted in a 1600-bed medical center of southern Taiwan with 47 wards and 282 computers. With education and monitoring program of hand hygiene for HCWs, the average compliance rate was 74% before our surveillance. We investigated the association of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Acinetobacter baumannii, three leading hospital-acquired pathogens, from ward computer keyboards, mice and from clinical isolates in non-outbreak period by pulsed field gel electrophoresis and antibiogram.
Results:
Our results revealed a 17.4% (49/282) contamination rate of these computer devices by S. aureus, Acinetobacter spp. or Pseudomonas spp. The contamination rates of MRSA and A. baumannii in the ward computers were 1.1% and 4.3%, respectively. No P. aeruginosa was isolated. All isolates from computers and clinical specimens at the same ward showed different pulsotypes. However, A. baumannii isolates on two ward computers had the same pulsotype.
Conclusion:
With good hand hygiene compliance, we found relatively low contamination rates of MRSA, P. aeruginosa and A. baumannii on ward computer interface, and without further contribution to nosocomial infection. Our results suggested no necessity of routine culture surveillance in non-outbreak situation.
Insights
Hospital computer keyboards and mice show low contamination rates of key pathogens, even with improved hand hygiene. Routine surveillance is not necessary in non-outbreak settings.
Area of Science:
- Infection Control
- Clinical Microbiology
- Healthcare Epidemiology
Background:
- Computer peripherals like keyboards and mice can harbor nosocomial pathogens.
- Disinfection of non-waterproof computer devices poses challenges in healthcare settings.
- The impact of these devices on clinical infections requires clarification, especially with improved healthcare worker (HCW) hand hygiene.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between hospital-acquired pathogens on ward computers and clinical isolates.
- To determine the contamination rates of specific pathogens (MRSA, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Acinetobacter baumannii) on computer interfaces.
- To assess the role of computer contamination in nosocomial infections in the context of enhanced hand hygiene.
Main Methods:
- Study conducted in a 1600-bed medical center in southern Taiwan.
- Surveillance of computer keyboards and mice across 47 wards.
- Pulsed field gel electrophoresis and antibiogram used to analyze methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Acinetobacter baumannii isolates from devices and clinical specimens during a non-outbreak period.
Main Results:
- A 17.4% contamination rate was found for S. aureus, Acinetobacter spp., or Pseudomonas spp. on computer devices.
- Specific contamination rates for MRSA and Acinetobacter baumannii were 1.1% and 4.3%, respectively; P. aeruginosa was not isolated.
- While most isolates showed different pulsotypes, Acinetobacter baumannii isolates from two ward computers shared the same pulsotype.
Conclusions:
- Good hand hygiene compliance by healthcare workers correlates with low contamination rates of key pathogens on computer interfaces.
- Computer device contamination did not appear to contribute significantly to nosocomial infections in this setting.
- Routine culture surveillance of computer equipment is not deemed necessary during non-outbreak situations.
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