AORN journal
-
Approximately 500,000 surgical site infections (SSIs) occur each year in the United States. The purpose of this study was to determine if the bacteria most frequently involved in SSIs could be found on telephones in the OR. ⋯ Using standard laboratory procedures, the researchers identified coagulase-negative staphylococci in the cultures. The study found that telephones in the OR can serve as reservoirs for SSI-causing bacteria.