One of the big infection dilemma's we face in the hospital setting, is the occurrence of cross contamination or the unwanted transport of infectious agents by a "fomite". A fomite is any inanimate object or substance capable of absorbing, retaining, and transporting contagious or infectious organisms, from one individual to another.

A Fomite Under Power

It's the early morning cough-athon
They're hacking right on cue,
And the wind of droplet nuclei
Will blow on me and you.

Though invisible, you can't deny
What's floating in the air,
A microscopic layer builds
Upon your skin and hair.

When you leave your place of work
You're a fomite under power,
Radiating organisms
That multiply each hour.

You drop them in the car
The restaurant and the store,
In a couple days they'll reproduce
To a factor of forty-four.

Don't worry or feel guilty
About the lives you place at risk,
You'll have guaranteed employment
And business will be brisk.

Fibril_late; 3/93