AUSTIN, Texas -- Keyboard manufacturer iKEY says it believes healthcare professionals should be confident that the treatment they provide isn't making patients sicker. In response, iKEY has developed the FL Series of cleanable medical keyboards and mouse that are designed to reduce cross contamination.
"Patient care is the number one priority for the medical community," said iKEY spokesperson Alaine Anhalt. "As a nurse, you have an innate drive to help others and care for them in times of crisis. Yet how would you feel knowing that you are a source of infection that is killing 90,000 patients annually?"
The recent shift to electronic records has helped spread MRSA and other drug-resistant bugs to the nearly 2 million patients that suffer hospital-acquired infections annually. Laboratory tests have proved that keyboards contaminate the gloved fingers of a nurse who can then transfer MRSA, VRE and other deadly bugs to other patients. The average keyboard contains 3,295-germs/square inch, while a toilet seat contains only 49.
iKEY's new FL Series features even lower-profile silicon rubber keys for easy cleaning and a new light grey color scheme that matches other hospital equipment.
In October 2004, BallStateUniversity conducted tests on behalf of iKEY to test whether their SlimKey-MD medical keyboard could be disinfected of MRSA and how it withstands a hospital bleach solution. The final results showed zero growth of MRSA, VRE and various bloodborne pathogens after cleaning and the keyboard continued to work flawlessly in the succeeding hours.
Source: iKEY
CDC Urges Vigilance: New Recommendations for Monitoring and Testing H5N1 Exposures
July 11th 2025With avian influenza A(H5N1) infections surfacing in both animals and humans, the CDC has issued updated guidance calling for aggressive monitoring and targeted testing to contain the virus and protect public health.
Getting Down and Dirty With PPE: Presentations at HSPA by Jill Holdsworth and Katie Belski
June 26th 2025In the heart of the hospital, decontamination technicians tackle one of health care’s dirtiest—and most vital—jobs. At HSPA 2025, 6 packed workshops led by experts Jill Holdsworth and Katie Belski spotlighted the crucial, often-overlooked art of PPE removal. The message was clear: proper doffing saves lives, starting with your own.
Spring Into Safety: How Seasonal Deep Cleaning Strengthens Hospital Infection Control
June 13th 2025Rooted in ancient rituals of renewal, spring-cleaning has evolved from cultural tradition to a vital infection prevention strategy in modern hospitals—one that blends seasonal deep cleaning with advanced disinfection to reduce pathogens, improve air quality, and protect patients.