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Published (Version of Record)CC BY V4.0, Open Access
Review
Extended reality head-mounted displays are likely to pose a significant risk in medical settings while current classification remains as non-critical
Microorganisms (Basel), Vol.12(4), 815
2024
PMID: 38674759
Abstract
Extended reality (XR) devices, including virtual and augmented reality head-mounted displays (HMDs), are increasingly utilised within healthcare to provide clinical interventions and education. Currently, XR devices are utilised to assist in reducing pain and improving psychological outcomes for immunocompromised patients in intensive care units, palliative care environments and surgical theatres. However, there is a paucity of research on the risks of infection from such devices in healthcare settings. Identify existing literature providing insights into the infection control risk XR HMDs pose within healthcare facilities and the efficacy of current infection control and cleaning procedures. Three databases (PubMed, Embase and CINAHL) in addition to Google Scholar were systematically searched. A total of seven studies were identified for this review. Microorganisms, including pathogenic bacteria (e.g., Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa), were found to be present on XR HMDs. Published cleaning and infection control protocols designed to disinfect XR HMDs and protect users were heterogeneous in nature. Current cleaning protocols displayed varying levels of efficacy with microbial load affected by multiple factors, including time in use, number of users and XR HMD design features. In healthcare settings, fitting XR HMDs harbouring microorganisms near biological and mucosal entry points presents an infection control risk. An urgent revision of the Spaulding classification is required to ensure flexibility that allows for these devices to be reclassified from ‘Non-critical’ to ‘Semi-Critical’ depending on the healthcare setting and patient population (surgery, immunocompromised, burns, etc.). This review identified evidence supporting the presence of microorganisms on XR HMDs. Due to the potential for HMDs to contact mucosal entry points, devices must be re-considered within the Spaulding classification as ‘Semi-critical’. The existence of microbial contaminated XR HMDs in high-risk medical settings such as operating wards, intensive care units, emergency departments, labour and delivery wards and clinical areas with immunosuppressed patients requires urgent attention. Public health authorities have a duty of care to develop revised guidelines or new recommendations to ensure efficient sanitation of such devices.
Details
- Title
- Extended reality head-mounted displays are likely to pose a significant risk in medical settings while current classification remains as non-critical
- Authors/Creators
- Adrian Goldsworthy - Bond UniversityMatthew Olsen - Bond UniversityAndy Koh - Kindai UniversityThibaut Demaneuf - The Pacific Community (SPC), Noumea 98848, New CaledoniaGobinddeep Singh - Bond UniversityReem Almheiri - Dubai Police Scientists Council, Dubai Police, Dubai, United Arab EmiratesBrendan Chapman - Harry Butler Institute, Murdoch University, Perth, WA 6150, AustraliaShaima Almazrouei - International Centre for Forensic Sciences, Dubai Police, Dubai, United Arab EmiratesRose Ghemrawi - AAU Health and Biomedical Research Center, Al Ain University, Abu Dhabi, United Arab EmiratesAbiola Senok - Cardiff UniversitySimon McKirdy - Harry Butler Institute, Murdoch University, Perth, WA 6150, AustraliaRashed Alghafri - AAU Health and Biomedical Research Center, Al Ain University, Abu Dhabi, United Arab EmiratesLotti Tajouri - Dubai Police Scientists Council, Dubai Police, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
- Publication Details
- Microorganisms (Basel), Vol.12(4), 815
- Publisher
- MDPI
- Identifiers
- 991005655998907891
- Copyright
- © 2024 by the authors
- Murdoch Affiliation
- Centre for Biosecurity and One Health; School of Medical, Molecular and Forensic Sciences; Murdoch University; Harry Butler Institute
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Review
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