Identification badge lanyards as infection control risk: a cross-sectional observation study with epidemiological analysis. Issue 1 (May 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Murphy, C.M.; Di Ruscio, F.; Lynskey, M.; Collins, J.; McCullough, E.; Cosgrave, R.; McDonnell, D.; Fennell, J.
• Is Part Of: Journal of hospital infection. Volume 96:Issue 1(2017)
• Page Start: 63
• Page End: 66
• Publication Date: 2017-05
• Subjects: Lanyard -- Infection -- Staphylococcus aureus -- Molecular analysis; Cross infection -- Periodicals; Cross infection -- Prevention -- Periodicals; Nosocomial infections -- Periodicals; Nosocomial infections -- Prevention -- Periodicals; Cross Infection -- Periodicals; Cross Infection -- prevention & control -- Periodicals; Infection Control -- Periodicals; Electronic journals; 614.44
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jhin.2017.01.008
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0195-6701

Abstract

Summary: Staphylococcus aureus cultures from name badge lanyards were phenotypically and genotypically indistinguishable from the wearer's nasal carrier strains by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis and antibiogram. Lanyards had a mean age of 22 months and hygiene was poor with only 9% ever having been laundered. Molecular analysis showed that 26% of S. aureus nasal carriers shared an indistinguishable strain on their lanyard. Lanyards should not be recommended for staff in frontline clinical care.