The hospital-acquired-infection landscape has changed in part because of new substances and objects that can carry infectious organisms, according to an article on the Occupational Health & Safety website.

These fomites include hospital computers, cell phones, and other new technologies not seen 10 or 20 years ago. 

"It has been recognized that the keyboards for the computers on wheels were potential fomites for transmission as they went from room to room and people were touching the keyboard and then maybe touching the environment for a patient," said Dr. Michelle Hulse-Stevens, the medical director for 3M's Infection Prevention division. "I think cell phones are in that same category."

Other common transmission sites in hospitals include doorknobs, food and bathroom surfaces.

In order for a hospital to protect its employees and patients, a highly functioning infrastructure needs to be in place. "The most important thing is for hospitals to have a basic infection control infrastructure," Hulse-Stevens said. "You can't overlay a technical solution on a system that isn't functioning very well."

She said a series of factors contribute to a solid infrastructure, including administrative controls — such as a program for infection prevention and policies to address how to deal with certain circumstances. 

Hospitals also need to have hand hygiene programs, a sterilization and disinfection department, and ways to check competencies for staff and allied health personnel in the hospital. 

Read the article.