How Medical Keyboards Can Help Prevent HAIs

This article appeared in the June 2009 issue of ICT in the How to Do Anything Better Guide.

The recent spread of swine flu has made infection control a daily topic in headline news. As the healthcare industry prepares for a possible pandemic, infection prevention and control experts know that preventing the spread of the virus among hospital staff and patients is of paramount importance.

The prevalent use of computer technology in medical environments must be considered as a potential source for cross-contamination, particularly keyboards that can harbor germs. Studies have shown that potentially harmful bacteria can survive for prolonged periods of time on computer keyboards, increasing the possibility of hospital-acquired infections (HAIs).

iKey, a leader in manufacturing liquid-proof medical keyboards for more than 20 years, develops innovative products specifically for infection control. A study conducted by Ball State University found that a 10 percent bleach solution decontaminates iKey’s keyboards and pointing devices from methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), hepatitis C and other infectious diseases.

iKey’s innovative designs include the new BT-87-TP wireless keyboard, which features Bluetooth® technology and an integrated touchpad. This compact keyboard is waterproof and easy to disinfect.

The SlimKey-MD series from iKey includes keyboards built with or without integrated pointing devices in black or white designs. Each keyboard in this series has a low-profile keypad surface for easy cleaning and backlit keys for low-light environments. Models include the SLK-101-FL featuring a full-size number pad, and the SLK-102-TP-FL featuring an integrated touchpad.

iKey’s SK-97-TP model features keys with a slightly higher profile than keyboards in the SlimKey-MDTM series, while maintaining a surface that is easy to clean. It has an integrated touchpad, and the new backlit version, the SLK-97-TP, is also now available.

For a simple pointing device solution that is easily disinfected, iKey offers the AquapointTM liquidproof mouse. Built with solid state, optical tracking technology, the AquapointTM mouse comes in two models: the DT-OM in black and the DT-OM-FL in white. Each mouse features a comfortable, ergonomic design.

Medical keyboards and pointing devices are ideal for operating rooms, patient rooms, medical carts and workstations in order to prevent hospital-acquired infections. For more information, visit http://www.ikey.com/medical or call iKey toll-free at (800) 866-6506.