[Web4lib] Disinfecting monitor and keyboard[Scanned]

[David Rothman]

Follow-up:

I just checked with our hospital's BioMedical Engineering Department and our
Head of Infection Control.

They both said (without hesitation) that any keyboard exposed to bodily
fluids would be "red bagged" (disposed of it as a potential biohazard).

BioMed noted that the cost in human time of properly taking apart and
disinfecting the thing would be significantly greater than replacing it.

Said one BioMed technician, "Dude:  Seven bucks.  Toss it."

They hadn't encountered this challenge with a flatscreen monitor, and had no
advice to offer other than to test out your disinfectant in a tiny corner to
see if it damaged the screen before wiping down the whole thing or to
contact the manufacturer for cleaning advice.

Best,

-David

David Rothman
Community General Hospital Medical Library
Syracuse, NY
http://davidrothman.net


On 2/8/07, David Rothman <david.rothman at gmail.com> wrote:
>
> Carol-
>
> There have been studies about keyboard disinfection (we care a lot about
> this in our hospital library and keep hand sanitizer and alcohol wipes near
> every computer along with signs encouraging users to wipe down the keyboard
> and mouse before using them- details here:
> http://davidrothman.net/2006/07/11/library-keyboards-and-public-health/).
>
> It is the view of our hospital's infection control specialists (MDs and
> BSNs) that alcohol wipes are the preferred method of keyboard disinfection.
>
> This article evaluates the efficacy of various keyboard disinfectants:
> http://www.unc.edu/depts/spice/dis/ICHE-Apr2006-p372.pdf
>
> I would recommend going with one of those shown in this study to be
> effective.  For the sake of public health and potential liability for your
> organization, you just can't mess around with something you THINK will work.
>
>
> Sorry I can't say much about monitors.
>
> You might also try calling your local hospital's IT/IS or BioMedical
> Engineering department and ask them how they clean delicate hardware that
> has been used in hospital rooms where patients are believed to be carrying
> something contagious and nasty.  Those folks will be absolutely expert in
> the disinfection of computer hardware.
>
> If you like, I'll ask those folks at the hospital where I work tomorrow
> morning.
>
> Best,
>
> -David
>
>
> On 2/8/07, Erik Adams <eadams at pvld.org> wrote:
> >
> > "Windex with Vinegar" or various orange cleaners (the ones you see on
> > infomercials) will disinfect and tend to be gentle enough for flat panel
> > monitors. Good luck!
> >
> > Erik
> >
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: web4lib-bounces at webjunction.org
> > [mailto:web4lib-bounces at webjunction.org] On Behalf Of Carol McGeehon
> > Sent: Thursday, February 08, 2007 2:08 PM
> > To: web4lib at webjunction.org
> > Subject: [Web4lib] Disinfecting monitor and keyboard[Scanned]
> >
> >
> > We've had a person at one of our public computers have a seizure which
> > resulted in body fluids (possibly blood) on the monitor cover and
> > keyboard.  Does anyone know of a good way to disinfect this equipment?
> > Also, how would one disinfect a flat panel monitor?
> >
> > This happened to us today and we are looking for information, resources,
> > etc.  Any help will be appreciated.
> >
> >
> > Carol McGeehon
> > Technical Support Manager
> > Douglas County Library System
> > 1409 NE Diamond Lake Blvd
> > Roseburg, OR   97470
> > 541-440-6005
> >
> > When it is dark enough, you can see the stars.
> >
> >
> > _______________________________________________
> > Web4lib mailing list
> > Web4lib at webjunction.org
> > http://lists.webjunction.org/web4lib/
> > _______________________________________________
> > Web4lib mailing list
> > Web4lib at webjunction.org
> > http://lists.webjunction.org/web4lib/
> >
>
>