e38 Abstracts

resources, it was found to be the most economical, nonpharmaco-logic intervention for the stroke patients.

In view of the therapeutic benefits, the researchers recommendthat laughter yoga and therapy be used as complementary alternatemedicine as well as be integrated into psychotherapy, psychiatry,and other biopsychosocial interventions for the prevention as wellas treatment of stroke.

doi: 10.1016/j.jcrc.2011.05.034

Best Students Category (Medical, Nursing,Allied Healthcare) Study

ALZAHRAWI AWARDComputer keyboards and mice contamination at intensive care unit inWestern Region in Kingdom of Saudi ArabiaA. Al Ghamdi PhD, H. Shukri PhD, A. Yamani BSc (MT), H. Hawsawi

BSc (MT), K. Bagatadah BSc (MT), L. Gharawi BSc (MT), N. Shukri BSc

(MT), W. AlEnazi BSc (MT)

Fig. 2 The chart shows percentage of different isolated bacteria.

Fig. 3 The chart shows percentag

The aim: The aim of this study is to examine the bacterialcontamination of computer user interface (keyboard and mouse) ofphysician workstation at different intensive care units (ICUs) inJeddah City, in 2011.Introduction: Nosocomial infections are important cause ofhospital morbidity and mortality creating increase medical costs[1]. Because of increasing the cost of health care through increase,the length of hospitalization, treatment with expensive medications,and use of other services such as laboratory test, x-ray, andtransfusion services. In United States, the estimates demonstratethat 2 million patients a year become infected, with the annual costranging from $4.5 billion to $11 billion [2]. World HealthOrganization studies found that the highest prevalence ofnosocomial infections occurs in ICUs and acute care surgical andorthopedic wards (World Health Organization, 2002). The mostcommon mode of transmission of exogenous pathogens is handcarriage by nursing and medical staff [3]. Computer technology forthe management of individual patient medical records has becomeessential tool in all aspect of modern medicine.

Unfortunately, they have been identified as reservoirs formicroorganisms, contributing to the transfer of pathogens to patient[4-6].Method: The study was conducted at the Microbiology laboratoryin King Abdulaziz University Hospital, Jeddah City, Kingdom ofSaudi Arabia.

Type of Samples: Swab samples were collected from keyboards andmice of the computers at the physician's workstation in ICU of 5hospitals in Jeddah City, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.Procedure of Samples Collection: A total number of 84 swabspecimens were collected from 42 computers (42 keyboards and 42mice). A sterile swabmoistened with sterile distilled water was firmlymoved over the surface being tested.

Each swab was inoculated into 2 mL of brain heart infusionbroth and transported immediately to the bacteriology laboratory.

e of different isolated bacteria.

e39Abstracts

Each sample was vortexed, and 50 μL of the suspension wasspread onto blood agar plates.

All agar plates were incubated aerobically at 37°C for 24 hours.Bacterial growths were identified based on colonial morphology,lactose fermentation on MacConkey agar plates, Gram stainfinding, and biochemical reactions; and Vitek system (BioM.rieux, France) was used for gram-negative rods identification.

Detection of methicillin-resistant

Staphylococcus aureus: Antimicrobial susceptibility test was per-formed to identify methicillin-resistant S aureus against 1 μL oxacillinand 30 μL cefoxitin by disc diffusion method. Zone of inhibitionwas measured after 24 hours of incubation at 36°C. Resistance wasreported if the zone of inhibition was 10 mm or less in diameter.Results: Sixty-four percent samples collected from keyboards andmice of the ICU computers showed mixed (2 types or more)bacterial growth (Fig. 2). Common isolated organisms (Fig. 3) wereas follow: coagulase-negative staphylococci and Bacillus spp(26%), diphtheroid (25%), Psuedomonas spp (17%), S aureus(4%), and Micrococcus spp (2%).Recommendations: To reduce the rate of contamination and therisk of cross transmission of pathogenic organisms, we highlyrecommend a regular cleaning and disinfection policy for computerkeyboards and mice in ICU setting and strict hand washing ordisinfection before and after using computers.Acknowledgment: We are heartily thankful to the Dean ofFaculty of Applied Medical Sciences, King Abdulaziz Univer-sity, Dr Haytham Zakae, for his encouragement, guidance, and

support. We offer our regards and blessings to all the hospitalsstaff who supported us during samples collection. Lastly, thanks toAssociate Prof Hussain N. Al Rahma, Dr Khalid Shukri, and all thejudges for giving us the chance to present our work at the ECCC-Dubai 2011.

doi: 10.1016/j.jcrc.2011.05.035

References

[1] Jarvis WR. Selected aspects of the socioeconomic impact of nosocomialinfections: morbidity, mortality, cost, and prevention. Infect ControlHosp Epidemiol 1996;17:552-7.

[2] Pollack A. Rising threat of infections unfazed by antibiotics. New YorkTimes 2010;27.

[3] Pittet D, Dharan S, Touveneau S, Sauvan V, Perneger TV. Bacterialcontamination of the hands of hospital staff during routine patient care.Arch Intern Med 1999;159:821-6.

[4] Hartmann B, Benson M, Junger A, Quinzio L, Rohrig R, Fengler B,et al. Computer keyboard and mouse as reservoir of pathogens in anintensive care unit. J Clin Monit Comput 2004;18:7-12.

[5] Bures S, Fishbain JT, Uyehara CF, Parker JM, Berg BW. Computerkeyboards and faucet handles as reservoirs of nosocomial pathogens inthe intensive care unit. Am J Infect Control 2000;28:465-71 doi:10.1067/mic.2000.107267.

[6] Neely AN, Sittig DF. Basic microbiologic and infection controlinformation to reduce the potential transmission of pathogens to patientsvia computer hardware. J Am Med Inform Assoc 2002;9:500-8.