Antimicrobial Screens Ineffective in Preventing Cell Phone Contamination

Environmental services (EVS) staff and other hospital workers who bring electronic devices into patient rooms should be sure to wipe down the devices and not rely on antimicrobial technology to keep them germ-free.  A study published in the journal Infection Control & Hospital Epidemiology determining whether silver-coated screens on cell phones can prevent them from becoming contaminated by germs has proved inclusive.

Researchers collected germ samples from the hands and cell phones of resident physicians at Duke University Medical Center in Durham, North Carolina. The scientists then sterilized the residents’ cell phones and placed an antimicrobial, silver-coated glass screen cover on the devices. The screen covers contained silver ions that are designed to connect to the glass surface to eliminate the surface bacteria.

Researchers were hopeful the screen covers would significantly reduce the number of pathogens found on the phones long term, specifically the five most common germs found on the residents’ hands: Cutibacterium, Delftia, Lawsonella, Staphylococcus, and Streptococcus. Although they found a lower diversity of bacteria on the devices after seven days, after 30 days the phones had lost their antimicrobial properties.

Researchers concluded that low-tech methods of cleaning cell phones are more effective. They recommend that people who work in hospitals place their electronic devices in a sealed plastic bag when bringing them into an isolation room, then remove the device from the bag in the same method as removing disposable gloves, wipe the device with a damp cloth, and wash their hands.