News
Connecting for Health procures infection-resistant keyboards for NHS
30 April 2008
NHS Connecting for Health (NHS CFH) has procured 7,500 specially
designed infection-resistant keyboards to distribute to hospitals across
England, in a move designed to help improve patient safety by preventing
the spread of hospital infections.
Originally developed for University College London Hospital (UCLH),
in a pilot project supported by NHS CFH, the keyboards incorporate a
flashing light to remind users to regularly clean the surface and
sensors to measure the effectiveness of cleaning them.
The infection-resistant keyboard
Keyboards are regarded as high-risk objects in hospitals, capable of
harbouring infections due to their many crevices and holes, which can
hold an accumulation of debris. These new completely flat keyboards are
covered with a hypoallergenic material resistant to bacterial growth.
The keyboard features a timed warning light, that can be configured
to meet the needs of different environments. The warning light will only
go out if all the sensors are activated, indicating the keyboard has
been thoroughly cleaned.
An internal evaluation by UCLH has proved that the keyboard warning
light reinforces awareness of the NHS 'Clean your hands' campaign,
increasing hand washing by up to 10%.
Research by microbiologists at UCLH supported by NHS CFH has shown
that bacteria levels on the keyboards fall by 70% if they are cleaned
every 12 hours.
UCLH Clinical Scientist Dr Paul Ostro (left) and UCLH
consultant microbiologist Dr Peter Wilson (right) developed the keyboard
with the support of NHS CFH.
National Clinical Lead for Clinical Safety, Maureen Baker 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.
"This 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 to the NHS free of charge
and will be distributed on an equal basis to the strategic health
authorities (SHAs). NHS CFH has been working with SHA chief nurses who
have nominated trusts in their region to receive the keyboards.
Dr Paul Jones, Chief Technology Officer at NHS CFH 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
and with our supplier and the manufacturer to deliver the keyboards to
the NHS."
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