Washable Computer Mice Stop The Spread Of Infection

Main Category: IT / Internet / E-mail
Also Included In: Infectious Diseases / Bacteria / Viruses;  MRSA / Drug Resistance
Article Date: 28 Feb 2006 - 7:00 PDT

email to a friend   printer friendly   opinions  

A waterproof computer mouse that can be fully immersed in a sink or basin could be a major breakthrough in the spread of infection in hospitals, offices and homes. The ScrollSeal optical mouse is a fully-sealed, moulded unit with a unique scroll wheel that 'clicks' out before washing and then just as easily, 'clicks' back in.

Its UK inventors, Unotron Ltd, are predicting that their little mouse will become one of the most significant preventative measures since the introduction of hand washing.

The ScrollSeal mouse is the latest in a line of washable computer technology that started with the SpillSeal washable keyboard. Using now patented technology the SpillSeal washable keyboards can be fully immersed in sterilising fluid for just 30 seconds* to completely rid them of bacteria such as Staphyloccocus aureus.

Manufacturer, UNOTRON, is pleased to announce the latest edition to its washable technology range:

"Comments Malcolm Gillies of Unotron, "Our SpillSeal washable keyboards have experienced high demand from NHS hospitals in the UK, with over 50 hospitals either trialling or using the keyboards, but a number of Trusts have asked us for a mouse. We felt that the development of a washable mouse was the logical step to providing a completely washable portfolio of products", comments Malcolm Gillies of Unotron.

Hospitals are particularly vulnerable to the spread of infection via computer equipment as one keyboard and mouse set can be used by an entire medical team during the course of one day to access patient records.

Donna Liang, infection control nurse for a large NHS trust in Southern England, explains "The average ward may accommodate 15-30 patients. Over a 24 hour period an estimated 26 medical staff, from consultants to ward clerks, could have direct or indirect contact with patients and possible contact with the main keyboard and mouse."

"One touch of a mouse or keyboard can be enough to transmit bacteria to a patient - even if gloves are worn. This potential for the spread of infection in the hospital is setting a real risk", continues Donna.

The manufacturers, Unotron, who specialise in high quality, washable data input and security devices have used similar technology to create a SpillSeal Smart Card Reader either as a stand alone or integral part of the keyboard.

SpillSeal is a registered trademark of Unotron Limited

Sources

* Sterilising fluid such as Precept, Tristel or Milton - ('Evaluation of disinfection procedures for SpillSeal keyboards contaminated with staphylococcus aureus', August 2005, Direct Laboratories).

Spillseal products

-- The SpillSeal Washable Wireless Keyboard
-- The SpillSeal Smartrest SmartCard Reader
-- The SpillSeal Standalone SmartCard Reader
-- The ScrollSeal Washable Mouse

All SpillSeal products are tested to IP66 and NEMA 4X standards.

Unotron

With 30 years of OEM manufacturing experience, Unotron is a global organisation with offices in UK, Europe, North America and Asia. The company designs, manufactures and markets high quality, washable data input and security devises that make everyday computing clean and safe and mitigate the spread of infection in healthcare, education, commercial and government environments. Unotron holds patens for SpillSeal technology and draws upon a catalogue of patents in automated manufacturing systems and office products.

For more information, visit http://www.unotron.com

Source of this article:
www.wallacehcl.com

• Additional
• References
• Citations