Anti-infection keyboards for UK hospitals
UK’s National Health Service (NHS) has taken delivery of 7,500 infection-resistant keyboards, which could significantly cut the rates of hospital bugs such as MRSA and Clostridium difficile.
Studies have suggested that computer input devices such as keyboards and mouse(s) play a part in the spread of common hospital infections. Keyboards in hospitals usually have covers, but the uneven surface makes it easy for bacteria to escape cleaning. The Medigenic keyboards are completely flat and coated in a "hypoallergenic material resistant to bacterial growth", according to APC. The UCLH team's research had shown that bacteria levels on keyboards are cut by 70%, if the devices are cleaned every 12 hours A Light-Emitting Diode (LED) is also incorporated into the Medigenic keyboard, set to flash when the keyboard needs cleaning. The light is also intended to remind hospital staff to wash their hands. "Doctors and nurses were going from patient to keyboard without washing their hands," said consultant microbiologist Dr. Peter Wilson, one of the doctors at UCLH who designed the keyboard. "That's quite understandable because you would wash your hands between patients but not between a patient and a keyboard." Wilson also said the new keyboards' design encouraged users to clean them regularly. "Compliance with twice daily cleaning went up from 10-20% with the keyboard covers to 87% with the new model," he said. Source: ZDNet Australia |
User comments
"Medical Keyboards & Mice"Author:
Jeff Goldman
Time: 17.10.2008 17:49
Comment: A new press release on medical keyboards and mice can be viewed at https://webmailcluster.perfora.net/xml/deref?link=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.prweb.com%2Freleases%2F2008%2F10%2Fprweb1477804.htm
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