Touch and Transmission: A Short Communication on Biometric Device Contamination in Health care
Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: INTRODUCTION For authentication or identification, biometrics is a technology that makes use of the particular patterns of a person’s physical or behavioral characteristics.[1] In our digital age, security is critical. A person’s identification could be determined through biometrics without any authority or knowledge.[2] Every person has a set of distinctive qualities that define “Who they are” as opposed to “What they have.” Every person has a set of distinctive qualities that define “Who they are” as opposed to “What they have.”[3] The method was made into “A much-needed system” because of the fact that each person’s fingerprints are distinctive.[3] For both identification and presence marking, biometric fingerprinting systems are now widely used.[4] Presently, hospitals and businesses cannot prohibit the use of biometric devices (BDs), technological gadgets, or medical equipment.[5] The skin on the fingertip makes physical contact with the layer of the screen, allowing the gadget to identify the user.[5] There is a risk of indirect transmission of the bacteria from one individual to another when subsequent users position their fingers on the gadget.[6] Because their hands come into contact with dangerous microorganisms when using this equipment, healthcare workers (HCWs) run the risk of transmitting infectious organisms, which can lead to Hospital acquired infections (HAIs).[4] Healthcare-associated infections, also known as hospital-acquired infections, are nosocomial acquired infections that are neither present nor incubating at the time of hospital admission.[7] The touch interface of the biometric fingerprinting equipment comes into constant and unavoidable contact with HCWs’ hands in a hospital setting.[4] It might turn into a source and storage place for bacteria and other pathogens. Because of this activity, the device becomes a source of bacteria and increases the risk of infection transmission in the hospital setting.[5] The majority of hospitals regularly clean their floors, workbenches, tabletops, nursing stations, dressing trolleys, etc. But cleaning or sanitizing a BD’s touch interface is hardly ever done.[4] The survival of Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria on dry, inert surfaces in hospitals has been documented to last up to months.[8] One should be aware that a flora of microorganisms, primarily Gram-positive bacteria, lives on the surface of our skin.[9] The cleanliness of public surfaces, such as fingerprint systems, has come under scrutiny due to ongoing concerns about the spread of infectious diseases in the setting of public health care.[10] METHODOLOGY In the studies reviewed, microbial identification was primarily carried out through culture-based techniques on selective media, followed by Gram staining, colony morphology, and standard biochemical identification methods such as catalase, coagulase, oxidase, and application programming interface systems. Some studies also utilized automated systems, such as VITEK or Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption/Ionization Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometry (MALDI-TOF), for more accurate pathogen identification. Few studies included negative controls, such as sterile swabs exposed to air, but this was not a consistent practice across all research. For this review article, the key phrases utilized in the literature search were “Biometric machine,” “Finger scanning,” “Hospitals,” “Medical College,” “Healthcare workers,” “infection and touch enabled biometrics” and “Bacterial contamination” using “Pubmed,” “Google Scholar” and “Cross references.” Since 2010, all papers that contained the specified keywords have been included in this study. MICROBIOLOGICAL CONTAMINATION OF BIOMETRIC EQUIPMENT The healthcare sector has progressively adopted technological innovations to improve operational efficiency, security, and patient care. Among these innovations, biometric fingerprinting technologies have become a standard for identity verification and attendance tracking of healthcare personnel.[11] Hospital acquired infections (HAIs) remain a pressing global issue, significantly impacting morbidity, mortality, and healthcare costs. Although hand hygiene is emphasized universally in hospital settings, the introduction of shared devices like biometric scanners challenges existing infecti on prevention strategies.[11,12] COMMON BACTERIAL CONTAMINANTS Pathogens such as MRSA, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and vancomycin-resistant enterococci are of particular public health concern due to their association with hospital acquired infections (HAIs) and multidrug resistance. Their detection on BDs underscores the need for stringent hygiene protocols in healthcare environments. Numerous studies have documented bacterial species isolated from BDs. Several clinically significant bacterial species have been isolated from BDs used in healthcare settings. The common bacterial species identified on biometric surfaces, their classification based on pathogenic potential, and their clinical implications. The presence of these organisms on biometric surfaces underscores the risk of cross-contamination and the need for stringent infection control measures.[10] SOURCES OF CONTAMINATION Environmental and surface material factors significantly affect microbial contamination. Smooth surfaces, such as glass and plastic, commonly used in biometric scanners, may facilitate prolonged bacterial survival. Although not systematically studied, seasonal factors such as humidity and temperature may also influence microbial burden. Due to a number of interrelated issues, BDs, which are being utilized more and more in healthcare settings for access control and attendance, are vulnerable to microbial contamination [Figure 1]. Skin flora and harmful organisms can be transferred onto device surfaces through direct skin contact during normal use. This problem is made worse by users’ poor hand hygiene, which encourages the growth and survival of bacteria. Furthermore, these organisms are able to grow and possibly spread due to poor disinfection procedures. The bacterial burden on such devices is further increased by environmental factors, such as polluted fomites and airborne microorganisms. To stop the spread of illnesses linked to health care, it is crucial to identify and deal with these sources of contamination.[11]Figure 1: Sources of ContaminationEnvironmental and surface material factors significantly affect microbial contamination. Smooth surfaces, such as glass and plastic, commonly used in biometric scanners, may facilitate prolonged bacterial survival. Although not systematically studied, seasonal factors such as humidity and temperature may also influence microbial burden. RISK OF PATHOGEN TRANSMISSION Mechanisms of transmission Biometric fingerprinting devices can serve as fomites – nonliving objects that facilitate microbial transmission. The contact between users’ fingers and device surfaces can lead to microbial deposition and subsequent acquisition by the next user. In healthcare settings, this can have serious consequences, especially when pathogens are multidrug-resistant or when users are in contact with vulnerable patients.[13] Evidence from literature The use of BDs has increased beyond all comprehension and is an essential part of modern life.[14] This technology is increasingly being utilized for managing time and attendance, access control, security, and national record-keeping in both the public and private sectors (including the educational sector).[15] The biometric fingerprinting devices have the potential to act as an environmental carrier for the spread of commensals and pathogens from one user to subsequent users through direct physical application of the finger on the glass plate.[15] The majority of bacteria can survive on human hands for longer than 30 min. Many pathogenic bacteria, however, can endure on inanimate surfaces for days to weeks, which could serve as a point of transfer for these harmful germs.[4] It has been documented that environmental microbe can spread to humans in both medical settings and community settings.[16] The findings of different research confirm the rising worry that BDs, which are frequently touched by multiple users throughout the day, can serve as possible vectors for cross-contamination if not periodically disinfected. Numerous studies that have been carried out in various nations to evaluate the level of bacterial contamination on BDs, especially fingerprint scanners that are often used in public and healthcare settings. According to these investigations, pathogenic and commensal bacteria are consistently found on biometric surfaces. In healthcare settings, this emphasizes the necessity of putting in place hygienic procedures, user education, and potentially touch-free alternatives.[13] Disinfection and mitigation strategies Emerging technologies such as built-in ultraviolet-C (UV-C) sterilization, antimicrobial surface coatings, and self-sanitizing materials are being developed to address persistent microbial contamination on shared contact devices. However, their integration into healthcare settings is limited due to high cost and technical compatibility issues. Chemical disinfectants Given the frequent handling of BDs by multiple individuals in healthcare environments, regular and effective disinfection is essential to minimize the risk of microbial transmission. Regular disinfection of BDs in healthcare settings is essential to prevent the spread of pathogens. For optimal infection control, healthcare facilities should establish standard cleaning protocols and ensure that users follow proper hand hygiene before and after using biometric systems.[10,17] The effectiveness of commonly used disinfectants for decontaminating BDs, along with their compatibility with device surfaces. Frequency of disinfection Ideal: After every use (challenging in real-world settings) Practical minimum: At least 3–4 times per day during peak usage hours High-risk zones: Require more frequent cleaning or alternative methods.[10] Hand hygiene reinforcement Even with device disinfection, hand hygiene before and after use is critical. The World Health Organizations “5 Moments for Hand Hygiene” can be expanded to include “before and after using BDs.”[18] Use of protective barriers Some facilities have implemented: Antimicrobial film coatings Disposable finger covers UV sterilization units are embedded in the device. However, adoption is limited due to cost or compatibility issues. CONCLUSION Regulatory oversight specific to BD hygiene in health care is currently limited. Institutions typically follow general infection control policies, but standardized protocols are needed for shared-contact technologies. In high-security environments such as Armed Forces setups, policy revisions may include mandatory disinfection cycles, adoption of contactless biometrics, and integration of antimicrobial designs into infrastructure planning. Biometric fingerprinting technologies offer undeniable administrative benefits in health care, but their shared-contact nature introduces a potential route for bacterial contamination and pathogen transmission. While most isolated bacteria are commensals, the presence of opportunistic and multidrug-resistant organisms elevates the risk, particularly in sensitive patient populations. Comprehensive infection control strategies – including regular disinfection, reinforced hand hygiene, and consideration of contactless alternatives – are essential. Healthcare administrators, infection prevention teams, and technology developers must work collaboratively to ensure that advancements in operational efficiency do not come at the expense of patient safety. Financial support and sponsorship Nil. Conflicts of interest There are no conflicts of interest.
Author: Manisha Rajguru
Language: English
Subfield: Infectious Diseases
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W4416227736