A study found that hospital coffee machines do not spread disease and a general ban on them is not necessary. Researchers in Germany assessed the microbial population in healthcare-associated coffee machines and found that while there was microbial growth detected on every coffee machine, most of the detected species were harmless commensals and only a few medically relevant pathogens were identified, none of which were antibiotic-resistant. Hospital machines were more heavily colonized than home machines, and most disease-causing species were found mainly in hospital machines, emphasizing the importance of following hand hygiene protocols. The study also led to extensive cleaning measures in response to these findings.
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Hospital coffee machines not responsible for spreading superbugs, study finds
