Evaluation on surface cleanliness of personal digital assistant as well as cleaning and disinfection efficacy

Abstract:

ObjectiveTo investigate the cleanliness status of personal digital assistant (PDA) surfaces, and observe the effect of disposable antiseptic wipes on the cleaning and disinfection of PDA surface. MethodsFrom January to March 2016, 83 daily used handheld PDA in 50 clinical wards of a hospital were as control group, 83 PDA disinfected by disposable antiseptic wipes(CaviWipes) and used in the same environment of the ward at the same time were selected as the intervention group, cleanliness status of PDA surfaces of two groups were detected by adenosine triphosphate (ATP) bioluminescence assay. ResultsTaken a cutoff value≤100 RLU／100 cm2 as qualified standard of cleanliness, none of PDA in control group was qualified with ATP bioluminescence reading ranged from 189 to 3 379 RLU; after disinfection with CaviWipes, the qualified rate of intervention group was 90.4%(n=75), ATP detection value of PDA surface in all departments were significantly lower than control group(median: ［18-28］ RLU vs ［290-339］ RLU, all P＜0.05）. ConclusionMicrobial contamination on PDA used in hospital wards is common, antiseptic wipes containing quaternary ammonium salt can be used for cleaning and disinfecting surface of PDA.