Tech & Innovation in Healthcare

Question: We’re constantly washing our hands, using hand sanitizer, and disinfecting high-touch surfaces around our practice. We encourage our patients to practice similar hygiene behavior to stem the spread of germs, viruses, and bacteria. However, our practice does not have an established device disinfecting practice and I’m worried our laptops, keyboards, and tablets are carrying bacteria.

How should we disinfect the devices in our practice to prevent infecting patients?

New Jersey Subscriber

Answer: Disinfecting the devices in your practice is an excellent way of minimizing the spread of germs. Portable devices, such as mobile phones, tablets, and laptops, are often overlooked as a source of infection. Binghamton University conducted a study in 2018 and found approximately 67 percent of healthcare workers think their mobile devices are home to bacteria, yet almost 90 percent never clean their phones (URL: orb.binghamton.edu/alpenglowjournal/vol4/iss1/6/).

Disinfecting your devices isn’t as simple as grabbing some multisurface wipes and cleaning every inch of them. The chemicals in cleaning wipes or rubbing alcohol can cause damage to a device’s screen, ports, or buttons. Depending on what device you’re cleaning, you can explore the manufacturer’s website for safe and effective cleaning. Some manufacturers offer approved cleaning products and step-by-step instructions, as well as which cleaning solutions to avoid.

Adding technology devices to your practice’s existing cleaning policy will help ensure portable devices, keyboards, printers,and monitors are regularly disinfected to protect the staff and your patients from infection.

Additionally, your practice may consider adding equipment with antimicrobial surfaces. Several keyboard and mice are available with this feature. If you have equipment that is used by multiple people throughout the day, antimicrobial surfaces will also help fight the spread of germs in between cleanings.