Infection Control

Hi All,

I want to know, if any Infection Control tests have been done for iPads. I'm a Software Developer for a NHS Trust, and I want to convince my bosses that we should be using iPads in the hospital, however one question / issue has come up when attempting to convince Managers and Clinical staff, and that is Infection Control.

So has any tests been done on the suitability of iPads for infection control? Can they be dipped in Alcohol Gel, will the hardware / screen degrade over time if it's cleaned constantly between each patient, a few dozen times a day? Will the hardware die if it's cleaned thoroughly? Any other information that will allow me to convince them that its a good idea is greatly appreciated.

MacBook Pro

Posted on Feb 24, 2011 11:33 PM

22 replies

Tamara

Level 6

13,744 points

Feb 25, 2011 6:45 PM in response to julpin36

Your doctors never walk in an exam room with a laptop and there are no computer monitors in exam rooms?

Odd that things that stay in the room that can be touched by lots of different people are disinfected once a day while a mobile device that is handled by a doctor/nurse has to be disinfected when they leave the room. Sorry, that just doesn't make sense.

Feb 26, 2011 2:33 PM in response to Duncan_dnk

I am working on a reusable, sterilizable cover for iPads and iPhones.
I will be testing some prototypes in the next 10 days.

The doctor or patient will have full touch screen capability. the cover can then be sanitized throughout the day.

JJC/Visualedtech

cherie85

Level 1

0 points

Oct 20, 2011 6:15 PM in response to Visualedtech

Hi. I am starting a consulting firm and am interested in discussing your IPad sterilizable covers. My business involves using IPads in the Operating Room environment. Would like to discuss your design and potential partnership. Could you contact me sometime please. Thanks Eric

< Edited By Host >

PogoPossum

Level 4

2,509 points

Sep 17, 2011 12:11 PM in response to Tamara

I think the idea is that anyone and anything coming into the room has to be disinfected, and upon leaving the room anyone/anything has to be disinfected. Things that stay in the room presumably come into it sterile (or are sterilized between patients), so any infection on them is the same infection the patient has.

ffromto

Level 1

0 points

Jan 5, 2012 9:03 AM in response to julpin36

Hi there,

What did you end up doing to disinfect the ipads? Did you use Virox? If so, did it cause problems with the screens? We are going to be testing some ipads for patient and family use in a Canadian hospital and wondering about this. I also heard you can wrap the screen with cling wrap but have yet to try it... Thanks!

Bri12311

Level 1

0 points

Jul 31, 2012 8:40 AM in response to ffromto

Yes, has anyone from this thread, including ffromto found a solution that is working?!

THANKS!

Oct 21, 2013 11:51 PM in response to cherie85

Cherie

I'm developing an iPad app for the operating room. I'd love to chat with you about what you've discovered.

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Infection Control