| Key
Objectives of the Study |
| •To
determine the greatest number of bacteria in a patient’s
hospital room |
| •To
identify THE SOURCE holding the highest level of bacteria
in a patient’s hospital room. |
| •To
act as a catalyst to accomplish the following:
|
•Conduct
ongoing research and studies to determine if utilizing
disposable remote controls
directly/indirectly decrease the level of bacteria
in a patient’s hospital room.
•Conduct
ongoing research and studies to determine if the incidence
of nosocomial infections and deaths are reduced in
hospitals/medical centers. |
| •Engage
in future discussions addressing solutions to the growing
number of illnesses and deaths related to nosocomial
infections. |
| |
| Methodology |
The Study was
conducted in June, July and August 2005. The study involved
15 hospital rooms to determine if the greatest number
of bacteria in a patient’s room occurs on the
remote control. Television remote controls were divided
into three groups each with a corresponding period of
time. The groups included:
•Newly
Opened Disposable Remotes – 0 Days
•Single
Use Remotes – 1-30 Days
•Multiple
Use Remotes – 30+ Days
Samples were tested for total bacteria numbers,
and of the 28 remotes, 20 had been used by multiple
patients and 8 remotes were single patient use. The
second phase involved 20 samples of newly opened disposable
remotes. |
| |
| Study
Results |
•The average total bacteria on the remote
controls was 320.
•The average total bacteria on sites
in the hospital room was 91.
•The average total bacteria on newly
opened disposable remotes was 8.35. There was no detection
of Staphylococcus Aureus on newly opened disposable
remotes.
•MRSA bacteria
was present on television remote controls in patient
hospital rooms. |
| |
| Study
Sites Tested |
•Television Remote Control
•Bathroom Door
•Toilet Bowl Flush Handle
•Faucet Handle
•Hand Rail
•Call Button
•Tray Table
•Door Knob |
