AST Guideline - Use of Mobile Information Technology in the Operating Room

3 C. A clinical microbiological study completed in 2011 revealed that more than 84% of cultures obtained from swabbing cell phones were positive for microbial contamination including Staphylococcus aureus and MRSA. 25 2. Devices should be properly cleaned and disinfected on a routine basis, and before entering the surgery department or other patient care area, eg, preoperative holding and PACU. A. Mobile devices as well as the OR computers should be routinely cleaned with a manufacturer-approved antimicrobial wipe to avoid damaging the display screen and to reduce the potential for cross-contamination. 8,26,27,28 1) Some literature suggests using alcohol wipes to disinfect mobile devices; however, care must be taken to not use products that degrade the display screen. 27 For example, Apple recommends that alcohol and ammonia should not be used on iPads or iPhones. 29 B. OR personnel should practice strict hand hygiene before and after the use of a mobile device, particularly if he/she will be providing patient care. 23,28,30 3. HDO policies should include addressing the cleaning and disinfection of mobile devices and computers for OR personnel to strictly follow. A. The HDO should provide continuing education on the ways that mobile devices can carry and transmit pathogens, preventive measures for decontaminating the devices as developed by the HDO’s infection control committee, and other measures that prevent cross-contamination when providing patient care. 8 Guideline II Personal mobile devices should only be used in HDO designated non-critical care areas by OR personnel. 1. HDOs should establish zones or areas with Wi-Fi hotspots for the use of mobile devices for personal or non-critical care reasons, e.g., CST who works for a surgeon group practice contacts the clinic to have the next day’s schedule sent to his/her smartphone. 16 It is recommended the zones are integrated with cafes or department break rooms to ensure OR personnel are separated from work-related activities. 16 A. Research on the subject of unsafe practices and risks to patient care caused by the use of mobile devices supports HDO policies regarding controlling their use. 31 1) In the September 2011 edition of the journal Perfusion the results of a survey on cell phone use by perfusion technicians while administering cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) were published. Of the 439 clinical perfusion technicians who completed the survey, 55.6% reported talking on a cell phone during surgery and 49.2% reported texting during surgery. Regarding smartphone use, 21% accessed E-mails; 15.1% accessed the Internet, 3.1% checked and/or posted on social networking sites. 32 The article also reported that 7.3% of the technicians admitted that personal distraction by cell phone use negatively affected their performance and 33.7% of the technicians reported