Ethics Governance
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| Article - Abstract. To view full article click on the article title. | |
CBHD: Clean Hands Still Key to Preventing Infections A recent article reported on research showing harmful bacteria can linger on computer keyboards and provide a means of spreading infection. The bacteria were deliberately placed on the keyboards, rather than transmitted by users’ hands, but the point was made that contaminated keyboards can pass on pathogens to later users. The authors recommended frequent disinfection of computer keyboards accessed by multiple users and hand washing after using keyboards and before contact with patients. On one level, this study has some value. It defines the length of time the bacteria tested remain viable on keyboard surfaces and points out the soundness of their regular disinfection. However, although the article recommends frequent disinfection of keyboards, it gives the reader no practical information on what techniques or substances are effective and yet safe for keyboards. On another level, this study seems wasteful of scarce research dollars. We have long known that infections can be transmitted by surfaces. It has also been shown repeatedly that hand washing after contact with potentially contaminated surfaces and before eating, preparing food, or touching others is the best way to prevent such transmission. Even young children are taught the usefulness of hand washing. Full Article: http://www.cbhd.org/resources/healthcare/falkenheimer_2005-08-26.htm |
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2006 Ethics-Governance.com |
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