Smart Solutions For HCAI

Success Stories

Smart Solutions is a new programme and stories specifically relating to the programme will be added in due course. In the meantime, the example below provides an overview about how the NHS is helping towards the fight against infection.

Easy-clean keyboards help stop spread of germs

An easy-clean computer keyboard is one example of a product that is being adopted by the NHS to help prevent infection.

Connecting for Health, the NHS’s IT arm, is spending £1 million piloting 20,000 fully enclosed keyboards and mice across the NHS. These keyboards are waterproof and have completely smooth surfaces. They also have an intelligent system that bleeps when cleaning is required. Procurement work is ongoing in association with Directors of Nursing.

Conventional computer keyboards and mice are difficult to clean to an adequate hygiene standard because of the shape of the keys and the spaces between them. Staff often need to use keyboards to enter data following patient contact and these easy-clean keyboards reduce the risk of transmitting infection.

The intensive care unit at University College London Hospital has been trialling the keyboards since June 2007. They have been well accepted and people like the 'feel' of them. They are now been rolled out across the hospital.