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This article is published in the April of 2005 edition of the American Journal of Infection Control, Volume 33, Number 3. Here you will find proof of what they found inside the Handsets. Just think these units are continuously touched and reside next to the head of the most susceptible patients. It is clear that steps to protect the patient need to be taken. Microbial Contamination of Hospital Bed Handsets The Government's future plans are to try and implement a negative incentive payment program to combat hospital acquired infections. Look at the last item on page one. Here you will see that they plan to pay for an original DRG but not a more complicated DRG due to an associated infection. Deficit Reduction Act 12-21-05 One object, perhaps not yet considered as a potential reservoir for nosocomial pathogens, is the television remote control device almost universally connected to the nurse call button attached to the hospital bed by a cord. Although not previously studied, one can presume that this object may also be colonized to various degrees with many of the microbial organisms implicated in nosocomial infections, not unlike other surfaces or fomites in the patient’s room. Moreover, the television control systems presently used may not be amenable to be sufficiently disinfected due to limitations imposed by the intrinsic nature of the device. Television control pads are one of the most often manipulated objects in the patient’s room; therefore, if the frequency and duration of contact with a colonized inanimate object has a direct correlation with the risk of transmission of a pathogenic organism, then this device may be an important potential source of hospital-acquired patient colonization and/or infection. Link to the above article This article is related to the TV Remote. As you will read, they found similar viruses in the unit. In most cases the Nurse Call Handset and not a TV Remote control the TV. Either way it is the same cause for concern and preventative steps need to be taken. TV Remote Here is a weblog found on the Internet. It also targets the TV Remote. I would like to point out that the Nurse Call Buttons in this statement is not the Nurse Call Handset. The Handset, or Pillow Speaker, is used to call the nurse, control the TV, open of close the drapes, and turn on and off lighting. More on TV Remotes Here is the article that the
above weblog is referencing. Anything
with Cracks, Crevices, or Buttons cannot be effectively sanitized with surface
cleaners. |