By Tim Ferguson, 7 May 2008 13:09
NEWS
The NHS is introducing 7,500 infection-resistant keyboards in hospitals across England as part of efforts to make hospitals cleaner and safer.
The keyboards have been developed by University College London Hospital in a pilot supported by the Department of Health tech agency, Connecting for Health.
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The devices are completely flat to avoid collecting debris that often harbour infections and are covered with a hypoallergenic material which is resistant to bug growth.
The keyboards also have a warning light to alert users when they haven't been cleaned for a certain time. This period is adjustable depending on the environment. This light only goes out once sensors on the device are satisfied it has been sufficiently cleaned.
UCLH microbiologists have found the new tech can lead to a 70 per cent fall in bacteria levels on keyboards if they are properly cleaned every 12 hours.
The warning light system has also been proven by UCLH to increase hand washing by up to 10 per cent.
Maureen Baker, national clinical lead for clinical safety, said the tech represents a significant step forwards in tackling hospital acquired infections and in tackling MRSA.
Paul Jones, Connecting for Health CTO, said the introduction of these devices is a great example of how tech innovations can improve safety in hospitals.
Comments
There are 8 comments. Join the discussion
1. anonymous
Sound hugely expensive, and not really addressing the root cause of manky staff in NHS hospitals spreading infection - Keyboards do not become dirty and infected by themselves.
What next, antibac skins for mice - seemingly a bizzare blindingly obvious omission, or do NHS systems not use one for Human Computer Interaction, so they won't get dirty as well.
2. Roger Huffadine
did I miss something? People are still not cleaning their hands so giving them a keyboard with a light on it makes them wash their hands 10% more.
If medical staff are still risking the lives of patients by not being clean then there is a simple solution - random testing - 1st failure = verbal warning, 2nd failure = formal written warning, 3rd failure = final warning, 4th failure = find a job where dirty hands is an asset.
All we need is good managers.
3. Karen Challinor
a cheaper solution would be to use membrane keyboards and submerge them in an antibacterial solution containing bleach and ethanol
of course there would be the minor problem of users having their fingers eaten away but at least they would be close to a hospital for treatment
4. Sarah
It is knee-jerk sound bites as if these keyboards were available before and are safe, why were they not deployed in the first place?
5. Anonymo0us
CfH providing keyboards without slots for their ID card system? mmmmm....
6. Chris Goodman
How much clinical treatment will this lot cost from the HEALTH budget?
And my local Hospital Trust has cut breakfast (the most important meal of the day) to a small dish of cereals or a slice of (cold) toast to save money.
Management or mis-management skills?
7. anonymous
Seen them on wards for last year and "clean me" light is never off so everyone ignores it after first week. Bugs are not passed by keyboards but hand to hand. Wash your hands not your keyboards. Spend thev money on soap and`water and save thousands.
8. anonymous
I clean all my key pads at regular intervals:-
1) Remove the back (a few screws)
2) Dismantel (4 or 5 parts)
3) Wash in warm water, use mild detergent.
4) Remove any greasy bits with IPA
5) Rinse in warm running water
6) Reassemble.
Crazy? Not a bit of it! I've worked in the electronics industry for eons. We wash PCBs and such like in this manner all the time. Provided you don't use acids or caustic detergents and rinse thoroughly all the components of the key board will be just fine.
Maybe a nice business oppertunity there.