Dive Brief:
- A new Canadian study released July 8 found more germs on hospital elevators buttons than on hospital toilets: a 61% prevalence of bacteria colonization on elevator buttons (most commonly coagulase-negative staphylococci), versus germs found on 43% of toilet surfaces.
- While bacteria commonly colonize on elevator buttons, most pathogens were not clinically relevant, University of Toronto researchers said.
- Researchers swabbed 120 elevator buttons and 96 toilet surfaces over separate intervals at three large, urban teaching hospitals in Toronto. They took samples during flu season.
Dive Insight:
Nearly all visitors use hospital elevators, making this high-traffic area a breeding ground for potentially dangerous infections. To combat the problem, researchers suggested strategically placing alcohol-based hand sanitizers inside and outside elevators to try to remove surface bacteria. Hospitals could also enlarge elevator buttons to allow for elbow activation, install touchless proximity sensors and increase public education about hand hygiene, targeting people using the elevators.
Of course hospital elevator buttons aren't alone in their potential for germ transmission. A recent study found hospitals' room privacy curtains were the source of some infections, for example, and urged better hand-washing techniques. The Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America is even urging new dress codes for physicians: eliminating long sleeves, wristwatches, neckties and jewelry, in an effort to reduce the spread of infections like C. diff and MRSA.