Disinfectable keyboards and tablets minimize the risk of transmission of pathogens

(Bildrechte: Systec & Solutions GmbH / Image rights: Systec & Solutions GmbH)

(Bildrechte: Systec & Solutions GmbH / Image rights: Systec & Solutions GmbH)

(Bildrechte: Systec & Solutions GmbH / Image rights: Systec & Solutions GmbH)

Fully disinfectable keyboards and touchscreens can significantly reduce the risk of transmission of pathogens in medical environments. The Robert-Koch Institute recommends the use of such devices in patient care. Systec & Solutions, a specialist in cleanroom hardware, offers technical solutions for clinics, hospitals, and pharmacies. Technical innovations of this type are particularly important in times of the novel coronavirus SARS-Cov-2.

Hardware such as keyboards and touchscreens are regarded as particularly critical surfaces for the transmission of pathogens in the medical environment. Studies on the contamination of technical devices in hospitals showed that in some cases up to 100% of computer keyboards were microbially contaminated.1 When comparing different surfaces in an operating room, keyboards were even the most contaminated objects.2

In times of the novel coronavirus SARS-Cov-2, which may remain capable of reproduction for several days on surfaces,3 the effective containment of the germ load is particularly important. “Our medical keyboards and touchscreens can be treated with all common disinfectants,” commented Andreas König, CEO of Systec & Solutions. “The tablet is completely encased in stainless steel, has IP65 certification, and no dead zones. This makes it very robust and suitable for many cleaning cycles.” Thanks to its smooth glass surface, the medical glass keyboard also manages without keys that could become contaminated, and can still be operated with gloves.

The Robert-Koch Institute (RKI) explicitly recommends the use of special disinfectable devices in the care of patients.4 Conventional keyboards with their numerous openings are often unable to meet the high medical requirements. In contrast, contamination with potentially infectious germs can be efficiently and quickly reduced to an absolute minimum with disinfectable devices.

Sources:
1 Ide N et al. What’s on your keyboard? A systematic review of the contamination of peripheral computer devices in healthcare settings. BMJ Open 2019;9:e026437.
2 Petersen-Fitts G et al. Comparison of Microbial Count on Various Surfaces in Operating Rooms at Different Times of the Day. J Surg Orthop Adv. 2018;27(4):281-285.
3 RKI, SARS-CoV-2 Steckbrief zur Coronavirus-Krankheit-2019 (COVID-19), [SARS-CoV-2 Profile of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)] dated April 17, 2020
4 RKI, Hygiene beim Einsatz von Computern und Geräten mit Touchscreen im Bereich der Patientenversorgung [Hygiene when using computers and devices with touch screens in the field of patient care], 2019