CONSUMER NEWS    RECALLS    COMPLAINT FORM    SCAM ALERTS  
Small Claims Guide   Class Actions   Lemon Laws   FAQ   Newsletters  


Complain about a product or service

Automotive    Education    Electronics    Family    Finance    Health    Homeowners    Shopping    Travel   
NEWS   Latest |  Archives |  Auto |  Cells, etc. |  Computers |  Financial |  Health |  Homeowners |  Parents |  Privacy |  Scams |  Seniors |  Travel

Hospital Computer Keyboards Can Spread Germs, Study Finds





April 11, 2005


Medicare Penalizes Hospitals for Treating Disadvantaged Patients
CDC Steps Up Efforts to Fight MRSA Infections
FDA Clears First Quick Test For 'Super Staph'
Drug-Resistant Bugs Growing, Study Finds
CDC Slow to Act Against Hospital Infections, Critic Charges
Study: Cell Phones Reduce Hospital Errors
Hospitals Slow to Improve Patient Safety
Hospital Sloppiness Costing Taxpayers Billions
States Take Aim at Hospital Infections
Hospital Computer Keyboards Can Spread Germs, Study Finds
Medicare Launches Hospital Comparison Site

As computers spread throughout hospitals, so do nesting spots for potentially deadly bacteria, a new study finds.

Researchers at Chicago's Northwestern Memorial Hospital say computer keyboards can harbor dangerous germs for as long as 24 hours.

Research teams at the hospital contaminated keyboards with three types of bacteria that can cause life-threatening infections in severely ill hospital patients. They found that the bacteria known as VRE and MRSA survived for at least 24 hours, while PSAE bacteria survived for an hour.

When volunteers tapped a key contaminated with MRSA, the bacteria spread to their hands 92 percent of the time. Contamination rates for lower for the other two bacteria -- 50 percent for VRE and 18 percent for PSAE.

The bacteria are generally harmless to healthy people, although one can cause skin rash, boils and blisters.

The problem is likely to grow as hospitals switch to electronic records. Computers are rapidly spreading throughout hospitals and are increasingly found in patient rooms.

Doctors, nurses and others who come in contact with patients are supposed to wash their hands both before and after touching patients. The lead researcher in the study, Dr. Gary Noskin, says they may also have to wash before and after using the computer.

The results of the study were presented at a meeting in Los Angeles of the Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America.

Noskin noted that, while the study applies to hospitals, the results also raise concerns for computers in schools and offices. He said sharing keyboards could spread cold and flu viruses, although this has yet to be proven in a controlled study.

Also unclear is the best procedure for disinfecting keyboards.



Report Your Experience
If you've had a bad experience -- or a good one -- with a consumer product or service, we'd like to hear about it. All complaints are reviewed by class action attorneys and are considered for publication on our site. Knowledge is power! Help spread the word. File your consumer report now.


Consumer News

December 3 2008

Recent Recalls & Safety Alerts

PRINT, MAIL, ETC.


FREE CONSUMER NEWSLETTERS

The Daily Consumer
Afternoons M-F

Sign up now!


Consumer News & Alerts
Every Sunday

Sign up now!

MOST-VIEWED PAGES

  • Sharper Image
  • Sears Auto Centers
  • FDA: Some Melamine in Infant Formula is OK
  • Maytag Washers
  • 5 Big Bills You Can Cut Fast
  • Speed Up Your Metabolism
  • GE Money Bank
  • Capital One
  • Whirlpool Water Heaters
  • Mars Extends Pet Food Recall
  • NEW COMPLAINTS

  • Justmyshopping.com
  • Papa John's
  • Privacy Matters
  • Prostate Rx
  • RANDESIGN Baby Products
  • Nationstar Mortgage
  • Saxon Mortgage
  • Software Direct
  • Blue Buffalo
  • Goldfellow
  • Hey there! ConsumerAffairs.com is using Twitter.
    Twitter is a free service that lets you keep in touch throughout the day. Join today to start receiving ConsumerAffairs.com's updates.



    Back to the top |

    Advertisement



    AUTOMOTIVE
    • Dealers
    • Manufacturers
    • Service
    • Extended Warranties
    • Lemon Laws
    • Recalls
    • Tires
    • Transporters

    FAMILY
    • Aging
    • Children, Parenting
    • Recalls
    • Dating
    • Education
    • Entertainment
    • Pets
    • Weddings
    FINANCE
    • Annuities
    • Banks
    • Credit Cards
    • Debt Collection
    • Debt Counseling
    • Insurance
    • Investing
    • Loans
    • Mortgages
    • Payday Loans
    • Student Loans
    • Tax Prep

    HEALTH
    • Drugs, Pharmacies
    • Health Clubs
    • Hearing Care
    • Hospitals
    • Nursing Homes
    • Nutrition, Diets
    • Vision Care
    • Weight Loss
    HOMEOWNERS & RENTERS
    • Appliances
    • Cookware
    • Furniture
    • Home Improvements
    • Lawn & Garden
    • Movers
    • Pools & Spas
    • Realtors, Rental Agents
    • Recalls
    • Utilities

    ELECTRONICS
    • Cable TV/DBS
    • Cameras
    • Cell Phones
    • Computers
    • Home Electronics
    • Internet Access
    • Local Phone Service
    • Long Distance
    • VoIP
    SHOPPING
    • In-Home
    • Online
    • Retail Stores
    • Sporting Goods
    • Supermarkets
    • Telemarketers

    TRAVEL
    • Airlines
    • Bus Lines
    • Car Rental
    • Cruises
    • Hotels
    • Travel Agents
    • Trains

    RESOURCES
    • Class Actions
    • Complaint Form
    • Small Claims Guide
    • Lemon Laws
    CONSUMER NEWS
    • Latest News
    • Automotive
    • Telecom
    • Financial
    • Health
    • Homeowners
    • Scams
    • Seniors
    • Travel
    • More ...

    RECALLS
    • Automotive
    • Children's Products
    • Drugs
    • Food
    • Household Products
    • Sporting Goods

    ABOUT US
    • FAQ
    • Privacy Policy
    • Advertise With Us
    • Newsroom
    • Syndication
    • Terms of Use

    Terms of Use Your use of this site constitutes acceptance of the Terms of Use

    Advertisements on this site are placed and controlled by outside advertising networks. ConsumerAffairs.com does not evaluate or endorse the products and services advertised. See the FAQ for more information.

    Company Response Welcome If complaints about your company appear on our site, we welcome your response. Please see the Response Form for more information.

    For more information, see the FAQ and privacy policy. The information on this Web site is general in nature and is not intended as a substitute for competent legal advice.  ConsumerAffairs.com Inc. makes no representation as to the accuracy of the information herein provided and assumes no liability for any damages or loss arising from the use thereof. 

    Copyright © 2003-2008 ConsumerAffairs.com Inc.  All Rights Reserved.    The contents of this site may not be republished, reprinted, rewritten or recirculated without written permission.