Medical Keyboards Are Essential for Infection Control: Here's Why

Thanks to the recent pandemic, the need for proper hygiene in healthcare facilities is greater now more than ever. Interestingly, according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), nearly 1.7 million hospitalized patients come down with healthcare- acquired Infections (HAIs) annually and one in 17 dies as a result. And that's before the pandemic.

In fact, a recent survey by the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC) suggests that the numbers have gone up since COVID. For instance, central line-associated bloodstream infections(CLABSIs) have increased by 27.8% and ventilator-associated events (VAEs) or ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAPs) or have risen by 17.6%.So, it goes without saying that proper hygiene in clinics is a critical issue.

But proper infection control in healthcare facilities isn't just limited to clothing or equipment used within the ward... it must also include basic tools and technology such as computers and keyboards that are easily overlooked. Thanks to the surge in healthcare information technology, the use of computers, keyboards, tablets and other electronic devices has become commonplace in all healthcare facilities. That's not going to change anytime soon.

Why Disinfecting Your Keyboard Matters

Of all electronic devices, keyboards are particularly notorious for accumulating bacteria and other pathogens within their crevices. And because regular consumer keyboards have uneven surfaces (and are incompatible with hospital grade disinfectants), getting rid of all germs is a near-impossible task. This, of course, increases the chances of transmitting various disease-causing organisms.

This results in a great need for proper hand hygiene and infection control protocols, especially for keyboards, to ensure the safety of both healthcare workers and patients. And this is where the Medigenic Infection Control Keyboard comes in. This keyboard was designed for one purpose — to drastically reduce the spread of infection in healthcare facilities.

What Makes this Keyboard so Great?

The Medigenic Infection Control Keyboard comes with many critical features that make it an excellent choice for reducing infections in clinics. Here are a few of them:

Thorough cleaning is fast and easy. The flat surface of this keyboard ensures that there are no crevices for pathogens to hide in during cleaning. In addition, the silicone-based cover is also highly resistant to hospital-grade cleaners, which makes thorough cleaning not just easy but safe for the lifespan of the keyboard.

1.  Super Fast cleaning without the need to unplug

Unlike most medical grade keyboards that need to be transported to a dishwasher or a sink for cleaning, this keyboard can be cleaned in seconds without unplugging it. The flat surface can be effectively cleaned with a simple disinfectant wipe down, thereby saving valuable time and energy.

2.  Inbuilt Cleaning Alert System

Ina fast-paced environment like clinics, remembering simple things like disinfecting a keyboard can suddenly become a herculean task. But we've got you covered. The Medigenic Infection Control Keyboard comes with a patented cleaning alert system that reminds you when the keyboard requires cleaning. And as soon as the moist towel wipes across the surface of the keyboard, the alarm is reset. Based on the unique needs of your healthcare facility or unit, the time interval between each alarm can be adjusted using our free software.

3.  User-Friendly Design for Fast Typing

This keyboard wasn't just designed for safety, but also for fast typing and efficient operation. Underneath the medical-grade silicone cover is a set of top-notch scissor-key keyboards with an extremely rapid tactile response. A soft touch is all that is required to activate the keys, thus making it just as efficient as a standard keyboard. In a 2008 UCLH study involving the Medigenic Keyboard, 17 out of 20 users reported that they found it very easy to touch-type compared to only 2 out of 20 who said the same for a silicone keyboard with raised keys.

Perhaps the best part of the Medigenic Infection Control Keyboard is that it comes with a no-obligation free trial that allows you to experience the tremendous benefits of this great device at no cost to your organization. So, what are you waiting for? Contact us today to arrange a free trial.

‍