Infections and Smartphone Use in Nursing Practice. A Systematic Review

Aim: Nurses use their smartphones during the work shift. The objective of this review is to investigate the presence of bacteria on mobile phones and the procedures to disinfect or decontaminate the smartphone and decrease the infection rate. Method: This systematic review was carried out through a search on the main scientific databases by following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. The research was conducted by considering articles published in the last ten years. Results: Of 502 initial articles, 489 were excluded and 12 articles were considered relevant. Twelve articles were included in the review. The analysis of the studies showed a high contamination of pathogenic microorganisms on the device's surfaces, most of which appear to be antibiotic resistant. The use of smartphones during clinical practice increases the risk of contracting nosocomial infections. The presence of bacteria on mobile phones and their use favors the cross-transmission of microorganisms. Conclusion: Onset prevention is a primary goal for the entire multidisciplinary team. There are no protocols concerning smartphones disinfection during clinical practice, but their implementation would reduce the incidence by improving nursing care.