Compulsory cleaning keyboard battles MRSA

02 Nov 2006

A new keyboard that reminds its user that it needs to be cleaned regularly has been developed by scientists at the University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (UCLH), with backing from NHS Connecting for Health.

The Advanced Input Systems Medigenic keyboard, which is claimed could cut cases of the MRSA superbug by up to 10%, was produced by UCLH consultant microbiologist Dr Peter Wilson and clinical scientist Dr Paul Ostro, with the support of NHS CfH.

Microbiologists at the trust created a keyboard equipped with a timing device, which warns nursing staff when they need cleaning, and hidden sensors which ensure that the surfaces are cleaned properly with alcohol wipes.

The scientists wanted to create a new way of ensuring that infection risks did not rise, as more computers are used in the NHS.

Dr Ostro said: “MRSA on keyboards is a big problem because you can’t easily clean conventional computer keyboards – you cannot get between the keys. You cannot put water on them or fluids and therefore cannot clean the surfaces easily.”

UCLH's own studies have shown that 20% of keyboards may carry MRSA. Commonly used plastic keyboard covers that are rarely cleaned could also collect bacteria. This increases the risk of passing on the superbug, which kills around 5000 people a year in the UK.

Dr Wilson said: “As we are going to be increasingly using computers we thought we would have to come up with a model that was very easy to clean to try to break the cycle of infection.”

The doctors took their concept to US medical equipment providers, Esterline, who were interested in the product and developed the warning light alert system that activates every three or 12 hours and does not stop flashing until the sensors detect alcohol wipes cleaning the device.

A spokesperson from Esterline told E-Health Insider: “The Medigenic keyboard uniquely helps monitor its own cleaning status to safeguard both patient and staff. Conventional keyboard tactile feedback allows for high speed data entry while the flat design enables quick cleaning with hospital-grade disinfectants.”

MRSA keyboard

The keyboard (computer model above) is accompanied by an optical, sealed mouse designed with a flat under-surface, instead of the usual rolling ball, which can collect bacteria.

Dr Wilson said: “Testing of the Esterline Advanced Input Systems Medigenic keyboard in the medical surgical ICU at UCLH showed significant log reduction in bacterial contamination in the range of 0.5 log - 1.4 log (71% - 96%) at cleaning alert settings ranging from 1.5 to 12 hours.

“The cleaning alert afforded a significant advantage in the Medigenic design in promoting a high level of cleaning compliance and a reduction in bacterial contamination during use in the ICU.”

He added that if anything, a flashing light would encourage users to clean their keyboards more often.

“The warning light is slightly irritating so people are more likely to take an alcohol wipe and clean the surface to switch it off – and of course they disinfect their own hands while doing it.”

Duncan Barton, the modern matron in charge of infection control at UCLH told E-Health Insider: “The new keyboards will help nursing staff who are responsible for cleaning the equipment be able to tackle potential MRSA dangers a lot easier and faster. The design of a flat surface will aid this making it quick and easy to wipe down with alcohol wipes.

“As we move towards a time when nurses need to move from patient to computer constantly, this will help limit the chances of spreading MRSA by up to 10 per cent and will help us to continue to meet the Department of Health MRSA targets of reducing MSRA rates by half by 2008.”

The UCLH hospital management board were impressed with the testing results and have now approved the purchase of 2000 of the keyboards, which will be delivered early next year. The keyboards have a lifespan of up to four years.

Dr Wilson said: “This is a significant step forward in the battle against infections like MRSA. You can run education campaigns to get people to wash their hands more often but the impact only lasts for about eight weeks. But with these keyboards you have got a constant reminder of the importance of washing your hands and keeping your computer clean.”

The MRSA-proof keyboards are not the first on the market in the UK, although they are the first to be developed by an NHS trust. One such keyboard, the SlimKey-MD made of silicone rubber and polycarbonate, is manufactured by IKEY, a company based in Austin, Texas.

A study at the university of Chicago on computer keyboards and bugs other than MRSA showed that just touching a keyboard, even with gloves, risked passing on antibiotic-resistant bacteria, and that soap and water did not necessarily remove infection.

Fiddling while Rome Burns

03 Nov 06 11:11

If things werent such a shambles - this would be laudible.

More fiddling ...

03 Nov 06 11:38

I agree with the previous comment. The idea of nurses being disturbed (irritated) every 3 hours to go and wipe a keyboard might be tolerable ... if the computer was connected to a system with the sort of functionality that the national programme is supposed to be providing! However, one can't help but wonder whether the 2000 keyboards, ordered by UCLH for delivery in January 2007, won't have reached the end of their 4 year lifespan before CfH delivers on its promises?

Why only nursing staff?

06 Nov 06 10:17

Of course, the British class system wouldn't want to have to get it's hands dirty with menial tasks. That's evidently part of the doctor's handmaiden's role according to UCLH.

I would advise medics not to regard workstation hygiene as a nursing responsibility. Since the keyboard tells you it needs cleaning, the next person to use it would be the best policy (thus disinfecting the hands of whichever professional does the job).

While we are here, don't we pay millions to private companies to clean hospitals? Or is this necessary because once they've creamed the big cash out of the contract, the minimum wage domestic staff don't do the job properly? Has anyone ever done an experiment with good basic cleaning?

Hmmmm

06 Nov 06 16:54

Speaking as an ex-nurse, married to a nurse with most of my close friends either nurses or doctors I feel qualified when I say... good grief. If Trusts provided adequate ward cleaning services and everyone 'washed' their hands before the next patient contact and maintained strict aseptic techniques where appropriate you'd never hear stories about cross infection. Or hear of Trusts spending money on keyboards with an 'I'm dirty' warning light.

Next we'll have signs above beds saying 'A Bit Grubby, Could Do With A Once Over With A Soapy Flannel' !

Biros, ties ...

06 Nov 06 17:27

Several studies have shown that lack of handwashing by doctors is a frequent cause of cross-infection. Our experience with PCs on the wards is that no-one tells the IT department that the PC has stopped working, all (doctors, nurses and others) just assuming that someone else has reported the problem, or that IT are telepathic. So keyboards that can complain will just join the queue of things to be ignored.

Cleanable keyboards.. hardly cutting edge

23 Apr 08 19:49

Demand for and supply of cleanable keyboards for a variety of environments (not just healthcare) has existed for years. Google - sterile + keyboard or washable + keyboard.

This is almost on par with last years CfH claim for credit for inventing and creating a market for lightweight laptops with long battery life.

An order of 7500 units scarcely underpins an industry.. meanwhile it would be great if NPfIT suppliers delivered a halfway servicable basic PAS to use any keyboard with!