As we emerge from the COVID-19 pandemic in the coming months, hospitals and healthcare facilities will be implementing rigorous infection control protocols to try to control any second wave of coronavirus.
Staff, patients, and visitors to these facilities want to be reassured that all steps have been taken to mitigate the risk of Healthcare Associated Infections (HAIs) as much as possible.
High touch surfaces such as computer keyboards and screens including touchscreens are a source of HAIs that cause secondary transmission of bacteria and virus directly through patient contact or indirectly through the hands of healthcare workers who touched a contaminated surface. Infectious pathogens can contaminate high touch surfaces, survive disinfection attempts, transfer to the hands of healthcare workers and infect patients upon contact.
Multiple studies have demonstrated how frequently touched surfaces can contain pathogens. A study in a medical ICU found colonisation rates were higher for keyboards in rooms with patients positive for MRSA and another study found keyboards tested positive for the growth of two or more microorganisms.
No touch decontamination technologies such as UV-C light can offer benefits for disinfecting high touch surfaces in healthcare environments such as in-room computer workstations, mobile workstations, and portable medical equipment. UV-C light inactivates microorganisms at the genetic level by damaging their DNA.
Howorth’s UV-CLEAN technology can eliminate 99.9% of pathogens on high touch surfaces. Flexible configurations allow units to sit above keyboards and screens and provide an automated and customisable cleaning cycle. They are motion activated for safe deployment of UV-C light and have a 60cm (24”) cleaning area range.
For more information contact Howorth at: corona@howorthgroup.com
