Quinzio Lorenzo, Blazek Michael, Hartmann Bernd, Röhrig Rainer, Wille Burkhard, Junger Axel, Hempelmann Gunter
Department of Anesthesiology, Intensive Care Medicine, and Pain Therapy, University Hospital, Giessen, Germany.
Int J Hyg Environ Health. 2005;208(4):299-304. doi: 10.1016/j.ijheh.2005.02.003.
Computers are becoming increasingly visible in operating rooms (OR) and intensive care units (ICU) for use in bedside documentation. Recently, they have been suspected as possibly acting as reservoirs for microorganisms and vehicles for the transfer of pathogens to patients, causing nosocomial infections. The purpose of this study was to examine the microbiological (bacteriological and mycological) contamination of the central unit of computers used in an OR, a surgical and a pediatric ICU of a tertiary teaching hospital.
Sterile swab samples were taken from five sites in each of 13 computers stationed at the two ICUs and 12 computers at the OR. Sample sites within the chassis housing of the computer processing unit (CPU) included the CPU fan, ventilator, and metal casing. External sites were the ventilator and the bottom of the computer tower. Quantitative and qualitative microbiological analyses were performed according to commonly used methods.
One hundred and ninety sites were cultured for bacteria and fungi. Analyses of swabs taken at five equivalent sites inside and outside the computer chassis did not find any significant-number of potentially pathogenic bacteria or fungi. This can probably be attributed to either the absence or the low number of pathogens detected on the surfaces.
Microbial contamination in the CPU of OR and ICU computers is too low for designating them as a reservoir for microorganisms.
计算机在手术室（OR）和重症监护病房（ICU）中用于床边记录的情况越来越普遍。最近，它们被怀疑可能充当微生物的储存库以及病原体向患者传播的载体，从而导致医院感染。本研究的目的是检测一家三级教学医院的手术室、外科重症监护病房和儿科重症监护病房中使用的计算机中央单元的微生物（细菌学和真菌学）污染情况。
从位于两个重症监护病房的13台计算机以及手术室的12台计算机中的每台计算机的五个部位采集无菌拭子样本。计算机处理单元（CPU）机箱内部的采样部位包括CPU风扇、通风口和金属外壳。外部部位是通风口和计算机主机底部。根据常用方法进行定量和定性微生物分析。
对190个部位进行了细菌和真菌培养。对计算机机箱内外五个等效部位采集的拭子分析未发现大量潜在致病细菌或真菌。这可能归因于表面检测到的病原体不存在或数量较少。
手术室和重症监护病房计算机CPU中的微生物污染程度过低，不足以将它们认定为微生物储存库。
