医疗环境中的智能手机由于携带致病菌而存在感染风险。这项试点研究评估了消毒方法的有效性持续时间,专注于70%异丙醇湿巾和UVC盒,旨在获得消毒后3小时细菌总负荷减少的初步数据。设计了一项具有两个干预组(湿巾和UVC盒)的随机单中心试验。作为参与者,来自FondazionePoliclinico大学三个病房的医护人员。Gemelli\“IRCCS医院被招募,按病房分层,并在每个病房内随机分组以控制混杂因素。71名医护人员,大部分护士(62%)被纳入研究.两种消毒技术的初始细菌负荷减少都很显著,但3小时后,两种方法都显示细菌水平增加,湿巾显示潜在更高的残留功效(p=0.056)。要充分调整试验规模(89%的功率,显著性水平0.05)用于评估消毒后3小时与UVC盒相比的酒精浸渍湿巾的残留功效,每组需要503名专业人员。这项研究强调了为医护人员和患者制定医院智能手机消毒和教育计划指南的必要性。进一步研究,尺寸足够大,确定最佳消毒间隔和评估病原体传播风险是必要的。
BACKGROUND: Smartphones in medical settings pose infection risks due to harbouring pathogenic bacteria.
OBJECTIVE: This pilot study assessed the effectiveness duration of sanitization methods, focusing on 70% isopropyl alcohol wipes and ultraviolet-C (UVC) boxes, aiming to obtain preliminary data on the reduction in total bacterial load 3 h post-sanitization.
METHODS: A randomized monocentric trial with two intervention arms (wipes and UVC boxes) was designed. As participants, healthcare workers from three wards at Fondazione Policlinico Universitario \'A. Gemelli\' IRCCS Hospital were recruited, stratified by ward, and block randomized within each ward to control confounders.
RESULTS: Seventy-one healthcare workers, mostly nurses (62%) were included in the study. Initial bacterial load reduction was significant with both disinfection techniques, but after 3 h both methods showed increased bacterial levels, with wipes displaying potentially higher residual efficacy (P=0.056). To adequately size a trial (89% power, significance level 0.05) for assessing the residual efficacy of alcohol-impregnated wipes compared with UVC boxes at 3 h post-sanitization, 503 professionals per group were required.
CONCLUSIONS: This study highlights the necessity for guidelines on hospital smartphone sanitization and educational initiatives for healthcare workers and patients. Further studies, adequately sized, are necessary to determine optimal sanitization intervals and assess pathogen transmission risks.