Dangerous cows: an analysis of disinfection cleaning of computer keyboards on wheels.

ABSTRACT

Keyboards in intensive care units have been shown to serve as reservoirs for multidrug-resistant microorganisms. The thoroughness of disinfection cleaning of keyboards on computers on wheels (COWs) in an intensive care units of an academic medical center were evaluated using an invisible florescent marker, and the movements of the COWs were tracked using their serial numbers. Following a series of educational and programmatic interventions, we were able to improve the thoroughness of cleaning to 100%.