Fig 2.
Assessment of the inherent microbial burden associated with frequently touched objects. The average concentrations of bacteria (classified by type) were determined from samples collected from six inanimate objects for a period of 23 months (n = 668 rooms). Bed rails, dark blue bars; call buttons (hospitals 1 and 3) and computer mice (hospital 2), red bars; arms of chairs, yellow bars; tray tables, light blue bars; data input devices (base of monitor bezel [hospitals 1 and 2] and palm rest of laptop computer [hospital 3]), purple bars; IV poles, gray bars. (The call button data represent values obtained from call buttons at 2 sites and from a computer mouse at the third due to the absence of a call button at that site.)