Preventing Contamination of Portable Computers MARY MCGOLDRICK, MS, RN, CRNI

INFECTION PREVENTION

ortable computers (e.g., lap- screen), consider the use of an facturer. iPads are commonly Ptop/notebook, netbook, and alcohol-impregnated wipe. Cod- used by home care and hospice tablet-based computers) are ish et al. (2015) found computer staff, yet Apple does not include now commonly used by home decontamination to be more ef- instructions for disinfection. care and hospice staff when fective when using an alcohol Apple recommends “wiping the providing care in the home. The impregnated wipe compared iPad’s screen with a soft, slightly computer’s peripheral devices, with a quaternary ammonium- damp, lint-free cloth to remove such as a keyboard, mouse based impregnated wipe. Other oil left by the hands to prevent or mouse and wrist pads, and studies have demonstrated the damage to the oleophobic coat- computer surfaces such as effective use of alcohol on com- ing on the screen.” It should touch screen monitors, can puters without damage (Rutala be noted that using a disinfec- serve as a potential source for et al., 2006). To avoid poten- tant may invalidate the manu- the transmission of pathogenic tially damaging the computer’s facturer’s warranty; however, microorganisms. Keyboard con- keyboard, consider the use of the cost of a home care-onset tamination can occur from drop- an impervious waterproof enclo- healthcare-associated infection lets of respiratory secretions sure or keyboard overlay. Clean is much greater in many ways falling during “normal” talking, and disinfect the computer and and needs to be a factor con- sneezing, or coughing, as well peripherals each day of use and sidered by management when as from eating at the computer when visibly soiled. If a patient is selecting a portable computer (when working in the office or on isolation precautions, such as to be used by staff. at home) with food residue or Contact or Droplet Precautions: • Mary McGoldrick, MS, RN, CRNI, is a crumbs serving as a medium Place the laptop on an im- Home Care and Hospice Consultant, Home for bacteria. The most common pervious surface barrier Health Systems, Inc., Saint Simons Island, Georgia. source of contamination is from during use in the home, or the hands, when they become if possible avoid using the The author declares no conflicts of interest. transiently colonized with po- laptop into the home; Address for correspondence: Mary tentially pathogenic microor- • Perform hand hygiene prior McGoldrick, MS, RN, CRNI, P.O. Box 21704, Saint Simons Island, GA 31522 ganisms from patients and their to each contact with the ([email protected]). environment and then come in computer’s surfaces after DOI:10.1097/NHH.0000000000000367 contact with the computer and contact with the patient or peripheral devices. their environment; and REFERENCES Surface cleaning and disin- • Clean and disinfect the por- Codish, S., Toledano, R., Novack, V., Sherf, M., & Borer, A. (2015). Effectiveness of fection, and performing hand table computer’s surfaces stringent decontamination of computer hygiene before and after com- prior to placing the equip- input devices in the era of electronic puter contact are the corner- ment back into the storage medical records and bedside comput- ing: A randomized controlled trial. Ameri- stones of reducing the risk of or nursing bag (McGoldrick, can Journal of Infection Control, 43(6), cross- contamination and spread 2016). 644-646. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j. ajic.2014.09.011 of pathogenic microorganisms Do not use a cleaner that con- McGoldrick, M. (2016). Portable electronic through the use of portable com- tains bleach, window cleaner, devices: Laptop computer, tablet and peripherals. Cleaning and disinfection. puters in home care and hospice. solvents, alcohol, abrasives, ac- Home Care Infection Prevention and A key infection prevention etone, ammonia, or hydrogen Control Program. St. Simons Island, GA: strategy is to regularly disinfect peroxide directly on a computer Author. Rutala, W. A., White, M. S., Gergen, M. the computer and its peripheral display screen or tablet. Clean F., & Weber, D. J. (2006). Bacterial con- equipment. When selecting a and disinfect a touch display tamination of keyboards: Efficacy and functional impact of disinfectants. Infec- product to clean and disinfect screen or tablet with a prod- tion Control and Hospital Epidemiology, the computer (not the display uct recommended by the manu- 27(4), 372-377.

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