Hand Sanitizer Dispensers and Associated Hospital-Acquired Infections: Friend or Fomite?

Background: Waterless alcohol-based hand sanitizers are an increasingly popular method of hand hygiene and help prevent hospital-acquired infection (HAT). Whether hand sanitizer dispensers (HSDs) may themselves harbor pathogens or act as fomites has not been reported. Methods: All HSDs in the surgical intensive care unit of an urban teaching hospital were cultured at three sites: The dispenser lever, the rear underside, and the area surrounding the dispensing nozzle. Results: All HSDs yielded one or more bacterial species, including commensal skin flora and enteric gram-negative bacilli. Colonization was greatest on the lever, where there is direct hand contact. Conclusion: Hand sanitizer dispensers can become contaminated with pathogens that cause HAT and thus are potential fomites.