Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42473565›Full record

ArticleInfection prevention in practice2026

Microbiological contamination of nursing mobile workstations: assessing their role in pathogen transmission in healthcarefacilities.

M Vanmeenen, V Duprez, S Malfait, K Claus, S Verhofstede, I Leroux-Roels

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Infection prevention in practice, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
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1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

6 authors.

M VanmeenenNursing Department, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium.
V DuprezNursing Department, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium.
S MalfaitNursing Department, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium.
K ClausLaboratory for Medical Microbiology, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium.
S VerhofstedeLaboratory for Medical Microbiology, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium.
I Leroux-RoelsLaboratory for Medical Microbiology, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Introduction: The nursing mobile workstation (NMW) is used daily on hospital nursing wards, where its serves multiple functions and is handled by various users in diverse settings. This study quantifies microbial contamination on NMW to assess the level and nature of contamination, offering insights into its potential contribution to pathogen transmission in healthcare environments. Aims: The aim of this study was to explore whether the NMW is a possible hazard for nosocomial infections in hospital settings. Methods: Samples were collected from thirty NMWs across sixteen nursing wards (150 samples total). The total bacterial count was determined, micro-organisms were identified, and each sample was classified using the Hazard Analysis - Critical Control Point hygiene classes. Results: A total of 327 micro-organisms were identified, including 6% (21/327) classified as potential pathogens, none of which were resistant to antibiotics. The degree of decontamination on the 150 samples was categorized using the hygiene classification of surfaces based on colony-forming unit counts. The results were as follows: 19% 'excellent', 12% 'good', 51% 'sufficient', 15% 'insufficient', and 3% 'poor'. Frequently touched surfaces, such as the side of the NMWs showed higher contamination levels than other areas. Conclusions: The overall degree of contamination of the NMW was reassuring, with the majority of surfaces demonstrating acceptable hygiene levels. However, attention must be directed towards the consistent cleaning and disinfection of frequently touched surfaces, particularly those with higher contamination risks, such as the sides and handles.

Indexed as

Cross infectionHealthcare-associated infectionHospital equipmentMicrobiological samplingNosocomial infectionNursing mobile workstations

Identifiers

PMID42473565
PMCPMC13380715

What OpenQuestion holds

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LicenceCC BY-NC-ND
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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.