If we suppose that infections spread via distinguished paths, "vectors" if you will, then we can suppose that we can reduce the transmission of infectious diseases by controlling those vectors. One of the most common vectors that infections spread by is direct contact. This isn't news. It's the same reason why surgeons very carefully clean themselves before operating. However, most infections manifest outside of the operating room, while patients are recovering.

In the recovery room, patients come into contact with friends and family who haven't taken the time to properly clean themselves. It would seem that this contact is a likely way for patients to contract infections. However, that suggests that their friends and family are in the hospital long enough to pick up the infectious diseases on their own bodies. Compare that time to the time a patient's nurses and physicians stay in the hospital and it pales in comparison. The nurses and physicians do wash their hands and wear clean clothes, to be sure, but there are some things that they touch often that aren't clean.

Pens and pencils are never cleaned, and to a lesser extent, clipboards as well. However, more than that, their cell phones are prime carriers of bacteria. How many times do you remember wiping the screen on your cell phone? Cell phones just pick up dirt and are difficult to clean. 94.5% of cell phones have demonstrated evidence of bacterial contamination[1]. On average, doctors spend 2.7 hours per day using their cell phones, whether it be talking, text messaging, emailing, or using a touch screen application[2]. We firmly believe that making a very simple change such as using an antimicrobial jacket on your phone can have an impact in reducing the transmission of infectious diseases[3].

[1]Are we aware how contaminated our mobile phones are? in ICU setting 94.5 with pathologic organisms
[2]Knowledge on call: Finding new uses for smartphones (PDF)
[3]Powder Coating with Antimicrobial Materials (PDF)