NHS Connecting for Health has procured 7,500infection-resistant keyboardsfor use
in hospitals across England, in a move designed to prevent the
spread of hospital infections.
Originally developed for University College London Hospital, in
a pilot project supported by Connecting for Health, the keyboards
incorporate a flashing light to remind users to regularly clean the
surface, and sensors to measure how clean the are.
Keyboards are regarded as high-risk devices in hospitals,
capable of harbouring infections due to their many crevices and
holes, where debris can accumulate.
These infection-resistant keyboards are completely flat and
covered with a hypoallergenic material resistant to bug growth.
The keyboard's timed warning light can be configured to meet the
needs of different environments. The warning light only goes out
when all the sensors are activated, indicating that the keyboard is
clean.
An internal evaluation by University College London Hospital has
shown that the keyboard warning light successfully reinforces the
NHS Clean Your Hands campaign, increasing hand washing by up to
10%.
University College London Hospital research has shown that
bacteria levels on the keyboards fall by 70% if they are cleaned
every 12 hours.
Maureen Baker, national clinical lead for clinical safety, said,
"This is a good example of designing for safety and reflects our
commitment to deliver safer systems for the NHS and safer care for
patients.
"It represents a significant step forward in the drive to tackle
hospital-acquired infections and cut the number of cases of
MRSA. These keyboards provide staff with a constant reminder of
the importance of washing their hands and keeping their computer
clean."
The 7,500 keyboards will be made available free of charge to the
strategic health authorities, which will distribute them to trusts
in their region.
Dr Paul Jones, chief technology officer at Connecting for
Health, said, "Pump-priming the market by introducing these
infection-resistant keyboards is a great example of how
technological innovations can help towards preventing
cross-infection and improving patient safety in hospital
environments.
"The central procurement has enabled us to achieve a 30%
reduction in cost and we are now working with strategic health
authorities, trusts, our supplier and the manufacturer to widely
deliver the keyboards to the NHS."
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