ABSTRACT
PURPOSE: Explore the effect of routine disinfection of mobile communication devices (MCDs) in postanesthesia care unit (PACU). DESIGN: Experimental, repeated measures design. METHODS: At a 247-bed, 20-bed PACU hospital, Mid-Atlantic region, United States, mean baseline bacterial adenosine triphosphate (ATP) counts of six MCDs were established with 3M Clean-Trace Luminometer. MCDs were routinely disinfected with CaviWipes for 10 days, every 12 hours. Mean bacterial ATP counts on six MCDs were repeated at day 11 and month 36. FINDINGS: For six MCDs, baseline ATP counts identified Failure for cleanliness. Postroutine disinfection bacterial ATP counts identified Caution and Passing; 36-month bacterial ATP counts identified sustained Passing for cleanliness. CONCLUSIONS: Routine disinfection of MCDs in the PACU defined by time and method, obtains, and sustains Passing level of cleanliness. Staff nurses identified trigger, researched practice, changed practice, and implemented quality improvement follow-up.
