Does using a cellular mobile phone increase the risk of nosocomial infections in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit: A systematic review. Issue 5 (October 2018) - Curtis, Aine
Abstract: The aim of this systematic review is to determine if the cellular mobile phone increases a Neonates risk of contracting a nosocomial infection while admitted to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. The following databases were searched: The Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Literature (Cinahl) with full text, Medline, Embase, Scopus, Pubmed, The Cochrane Library and Web of Science. Search terms include: Neonates, Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Nosocomial Infection, Health Care Associated Infection and Mobile Phones. The reference list of relevant research was hand searched. The search was conducted from September 2017–January 2018. 6 studies of various methodologies reveal a growth or contamination pathogenic rate of 40%–100% on surfaces of mobile phones. Studies indicate the majority of these bacteria are potentially nosocomial pathogens and some are multi drug resistant. Secondarily, it appears cleaning the mobile phone and adhering to appropriate hand hygiene after handling the mobile phone does reduce a risk of transmission.