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How clean are your hospital keyboards?
Medical devices, such as stethoscopes, and other objects found in hospital, such as computer keyboards and telephone handsets, may be reservoirs of bacteria for healthcare-associated infections.” [1].
Use a Multi-Pronged Approach for Infection Control
Infection control in healthcare facilities is a crucial element of patient safety. Decision makers in hospitals, hospital dialysis centers, and other healthcare settings are finding themselves at the intersection of patient safety and cost when it comes to evaluating the best infection control devices to protect staff and patients. Technology can help improve patient care, but hardware can transmit infection between staff and patients, and that includes items like keyboards. In a study by the National Institutes of Health and the Centers for Disease Control, dangerous pathogens are frequently found on a number of high touch surfaces. In fact, 25% of hospital keyboards tested positive for the deadly super bug MRSA. It’s clear that cleaning and disinfecting these types of surfaces to reduce the viral load is vital.
Hospital infection control is a high priority in healthcare settings. Keyboards in particular can easily spread diseases and cross contaminate other surfaces – including people. Armed with this knowledge, HCI designed the Health-Key series of medical-grade hospital keyboards. The company worked with a major hospital system to test keyboard infection control, in both patient rooms and at clinical workstations.
Health-Key Hospital Keyboards, designed specifically for the healthcare environment, are a key to disease control in healthcare. With auto alerts, you can set them to alert after a specific number of touches. That means you can track and monitor keyboard cleaning schedules. Sealed to IP67 standards, the tempered glass surface allows full key functionality. In fact, they can be placed in a dishwasher for cleaning! Since they’re so well sealed, there’s no loss of functionality, and the internal circuit boards are safe. Our exclusive keyboards are ideal for patient use, in labs, with Internet-connected TVs, and with hospital workstations.
How are HCI keyboards different?
- There are numerous connection options for HCI Health-Key hospital keyboards. Three models are available, with a choice of connections: wired and wireless, Bluetooth and Wifi.
- Two models feature a quick charge battery, each with a 30-day life. The Model 3 has a USB-C port wired connection.
- All models feature large, graphic keys and a numeric keypad. Each is backlit for low light conditions.
- The Model 3 Keyboard has a numeric keypad conversion to a trackpad. That includes right and left mouse click and auditory touch cues that you can change with a single touch.
- All models feature Haptic Touch, and are sensitive to weak finger touches and the use of latex gloves.
- The design and key size make it easy to use by patients, staff and the visually impaired.
Learn more about Health-Key hospital keyboards and HCI’s smart integration platform.
[1] Messina G, Ceriale E, Lenzi D, Burgassi S, Azzolini E, Manzi P. Environmental contaminants in hospital settings and progress in disinfecting techniques. Biomed Res Int. 2013;2013:429780. doi: 10.1155/2013/429780. Epub 2013 Oct 30. PMID: 24286078; PMCID: PMC3830765.