Effects of 70% isopropyl alcohol wipes and bleachbased wipes in disinfecting nurses' mobile phone: a quasi-experimental approach.
- Author:
Alvin Clark M. Garlitos
1
;
Faye P. Tamayo
1
;
Joyce An A. Wenceslao
1
;
Ma. Cassandra Mae C. Santos
1
;
Renz Marco V. Batac
1
;
Rizalyn T. San Juan
1
;
Marlyn L. Vicerra
2
;
Mildred G. Glinoga
1
Author Information
1. College of Nursing, University of the East Ramon Magsaysay Memorial Medical Center Inc., Quezon City, PH
2. College of Allied Health Professions, University of the East Ramon Magsaysay Memorial Medical Center Inc., Quezon City, PH
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
Contamination;
colony count;
disinfection;
mobile phones
- From:
Health Sciences Journal
2018;7(2):69-72
- CountryPhilippines
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
INTRODUCTION:Concerns have been increased about the use of mobile phones in hospitals as they may be vehicles for the transmission of hospital-acquired infections. This study aimed to compare the effectiveness of 70% isopropyl alcohol wipes with bleach-based wipes in decreasing bacterial colony counts of mobile phones of staff nurses.
METHODS:Mobile phones of staff nurses in the UERM Hospital were assigned to be disinfected with 70% isopropyl alcohol wipes or bleach-based wipes. Mobile phones were swabbed using standard techniques before and after disinfection with 70% isopropyl alcohol wipes or bleach-based wipes. Post-disinfection colony counts were compared with baseline counts in each group and compared between the two test groups.
RESULTS:There was a significant decrease in the post-disinfection mean colony count compared with the mean baseline colony count in both the 70% isopropyl alcohol wipes (p < 0.001) and bleach-based wipes (p = 0.002) groups. The decrease in the 70% isopropyl alcohol wipes group was bigger (121,635 vs 85,769 CFU/mL). The mean post-disinfection colony count of the 70% isopropyl alcohol wipes was significantly lower (p = 0.007) than the other group.
CONCLUSION:Both 70% isopropyl alcohol wipes and bleach-based wipes are effective in decreasing bacterial colony counts of mobile phones of staff nurses. The alcohol wipes resulted in a greater decrease in colony count compared with the bleach wipes.
- Full text:Effects of 70% isopropyl alcohol wipes and bleachbased.pdf
