Background:In hospital wards computer keyboards, input devices and other electronic devices are shared by doctors and other healthcare workers. These devices get contaminated if strict and proper hand hygiene practice is not followed in clinical areas. Such devices tend to act as potential reservoirs for nosocomial spread of organisms. Significant amount of bacteria are transferred from wet or contaminated gloves and poor hand hygiene in healthcare environments. Bacteria that are often found in healthcare settings are important source of nosocomial infections and death in healthcare arenas.

Objectives:The objectives of the present study were: 1)Determination of bacterial load on the keyboards and mice used by single and multiple users. 2) Evaluation of pathogenic and non–pathogenic bacteria on these surfaces. 3) Determination of efficacy of alcohol wipes for control of microbial contamination of computer input devices.4)Recommendation of cleaning and disinfection of computer equipment to be included in infection control policy.

Methodology: Samples from input devices operated by single users and multiple users, before and after disinfection were cultured on Nutrient agar, Blood agar, MacConkey agar and Mannitol Salt agar. The total count and identification of microorganisms was done by standard microbiological procedures.

Results: The input devices used by the multiple users showed Bacterial contamination which was higher than those used by the single users although spectrum of pathogenic microorganisms observed on the input devices operated by both was found to be similar.Significant decrease in microbial load was seen after disinfection. (P=0.001)It was also seen that in input devices used by multiple users, there was significant persistence of MRSA and of other bacteria, even after disinfection. Noneof the input devices operated by single users showed contamination after disinfection (Z=11.513, P<0.001).

Conclusion: Microbial load on shared devices is greater than input devices operated by single users. Disinfection of keyboards and mice has shown significant reduction in the microbial load (P=0.001). Hence this study recommends frequent use of disinfectants for cleaning shared input devices and a strict hand wash protocol before and after handling a patient to prevent probable nosocomial infections.