Smartphones have become essential tools in modern healthcare, enhancing the capabilities of medical professionals in various situations. They enable quick access to lab results, medical literature, patient progress tracking, and instant communication within healthcare teams and with patients. However, these devices accompany us everywhere, from pockets and lab coats to restrooms and patient rooms. Alarmingly, studies reveal that nearly all healthcare providers’ mobile phones harbor bacterial pathogens [1]. Phones from intensive care units have shown high levels of multidrug-resistant bacteria, including Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Acinetobacter, Staphylococcus aureus, and vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus [2]. Furthermore, highly contagious viruses like norovirus, rotavirus, and respiratory syncytial virus can also survive on smartphones. It’s likely that COVID-19 behaves similarly, with evidence suggesting the virus can remain viable on surfaces for up to 72 hours [3].
Hey Doctor, Are Smartphones a Source of Healthcare-Associated Infections?
During health crises and even in routine practice, preventing healthcare-associated infections becomes paramount. While hand hygiene is widely promoted, inanimate objects also play a significant role in pathogen transmission. Stethoscopes, for example, have long been recognized as vectors for bacteria and viruses. Although definitively linking contaminated devices to infections is challenging, studies have demonstrated that stethoscopes can harbor pathogenic bacteria, and these bacteria can transfer to healthcare workers’ hands and subsequently to patients’ skin [4]. Worryingly, healthcare professionals often neglect to clean their stethoscopes between patients, despite evidence showing that cleaning significantly reduces bacterial contamination [5, 6]. Just like stethoscopes, smartphones, frequently touched and carried everywhere, can act as fomites, contributing to the spread of infections.
Telehealth and the Increasing Role of Smartphones: Hey Doctor, Are We More at Risk?
The rise of telehealth, accelerated by events like the COVID-19 pandemic, further integrates smartphones and tablets into healthcare delivery. Policy changes supporting telehealth expand the use of e-visits and technology-based interventions, increasing our reliance on these devices. Furthermore, social media platforms are utilized by healthcare providers to share knowledge and experiences, often at the point of care. This constant interaction with connected devices in healthcare settings presents more opportunities for pathogen exposure.
Hey Doctor, What Can Be Done? Simple Steps to Smartphone Hygiene
Fortunately, cleaning mobile technology is generally straightforward. Major tech companies like Apple® have provided guidelines for cleaning smartphones, recommending the use of 70% isopropyl alcohol or disinfectant wipes [7]. These simple measures are highly effective, reducing viral and bacterial loads by over 99%. Considering that individuals touch their phones dozens of times daily, implementing this easy cleaning routine can significantly minimize the risk of pathogen transmission.
A Call to Action: Hey Doctor, Protect Your Patients and Yourself
New microbial threats will continuously emerge in healthcare. By encouraging medical and surgical teams to adopt daily smartphone cleaning and to keep devices away from patient care areas whenever feasible, we can collectively reduce pathogenic exposure. Beyond infection control, limiting smartphone use in patient areas can also foster better clinician-patient interactions, allowing for more focused and attentive care. Prioritizing smartphone hygiene is a simple yet impactful step towards safer healthcare environments for both providers and patients.
