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Cell Phones May Spread Infections

Posted by michael on from the don't-know-where-that-phone-has-been dept.

CHaN_316 writes "Yahoo is running an article talking about how cell phones from health workers are helping spread dangerous infections in hospitals. 'They found that 12 percent of healthcare providers' cell phones were contaminated with [Acinetobacter baumannii]. The results are disturbing because [it] has the propensity to develop resistance to almost all available antibiotics ... Cell phones provide a large dry surface that allows survival of A. baumannii--it requires no nutrients ... [it] is found in intensive care units, and the mortality rate among infected patients is very high -- between 50 and 60 percent.' The hospital that conducted this research no longer allows the use of cell phones, and are switching to devices that don't require hand contact like pagers." So how long before someone develops a cell phone that can be dunked in alcohol or run through the autoclave to sterilize it?

6 of 286 comments (clear)

  1. Telephone Sanitizers are what we need... by mfarah · · Score: 5, Funny

    Douglas Adams was, once again, an incredible visionary (even if he didn't intend to be one).

    --
    "Trust me - I know what I'm doing."
    - Sledge Hammer
  2. Already done. by grub · · Score: 5, Funny


    So how long before someone develops a cell phone that can be dunked in alcohol

    Samsung already has. They may not have intended it but mine has been accidently soaked in booze more times than I care to (or can) remember.

    --
    Trolling is a art,
  3. Oh? by cybermace5 · · Score: 4, Funny

    You can alcohol- or autoclave-sterilize any cell phone today! It just won't work afterwards.

    Seriously though...*doodeedooeeannoyingpolyphonicringTONE* "Hello? Yeah. Uh huh. Well I'm just working on a patient right now. Uh huh. A gallon of milk and some laundry detergent? Ok. Yes I'll remember. I said I'd remember! Last time? But... Yeah last time there was a big traffic jam and I just wanted to get home. Hold on for a sec, I need to install this catheter. Ok, I'm back. What do you mean I don't love you? What? That's not true! I'm sorry? When did I... No that's not what I meant. Ok I'm sorry. What? No, my patients are not more important than you. Uh huh. Yeah. Hmm. Well I'll try harder from now on. Yeah? Ok. All right. Yes I'll remember: milk and detergent. Ok. I love you too. What? Oh. Buh-bye. Yes I love you too. Ok. Bye then."

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    ...
  4. Good!! by moehoward · · Score: 4, Funny

    I, for one, welcome our new toxic wireless overlords.

    Now, I can kill my enemies with a simple "Here, it's for you..."

    In the past, I had to pass them a tin can connected to a string that previously contained bad salmon.

    --
    "If you want to improve, be content to be thought foolish and stupid." - Epictetus
  5. Re:Ya by bhima · · Score: 4, Funny

    The biggest spreaders of disease are my co-workers small children.

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    Nothing in the world is more dangerous than sincere ignorance and conscientious stupidity.
  6. No platform is safe... by retro128 · · Score: 4, Funny

    See everyone? Your cell phone CAN spread viruses!

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    -R