Bacterial colonization of respiratory therapists' pens in the intensive care unit.

Abstract

Although we found no organisms that are regularly associated with nosocomial infections (eg, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus or Gram-negative bacilli), pens can be fomites responsible for nosocomial infections. Protocols to reduce the transmission of infectious agents may need to be extended to writing instruments. One possible measure is to assign specific writing instruments to specific rooms.