Emmott On Technology: Keeping Your Machines Germ Free

Thursday, January 16, 2014

Emmott On Technology: Keeping Your Machines Germ Free

There is more than one type of computer virus. In addition to malicious software, we also need to be aware of actual microbial viruses that dwell on the surfaces of our computers. Cleanliness and asepsis are important in the dental treatment area, so how do you keep the technology clean?

The worst offenders in the techno germ category are handheld devices. We take them everywhere, are constantly touching them, pass them around to others, sneeze on them, sweat on them, and then we hold them against our face and mouth. Numerous studies have confirmed our handhelds are a prime source of nasty germs and disease transmission.

Patients are constantly pulling out their smart phones in the treatment rooms to check messages, tap in their next appointment then they hand it off to the dentist or the assistant to show us photos of their last vacation.

Increasingly we are handing iPads to patients to fill in forms, look at a radiograph or watch a patient education video.

The good news is touchscreens are a lot easier to clean than keypads, but the bad news is people are constantly touching them. There are four steps or options for cleaning and disinfecting your devices. However, cleaning them can be tricky. You can’t just dip your Android in the cold sterile for five minutes, or at least you can’t do it more than once. Manufacturers warn against using cleaners, aerosols, ammonia and abrasives on your device.

So how do we go about keeping these devices clean? The simplest step is to simply wipe down the device with a moist microfiber cloth. This eliminates many forms of bacteria but not all.

The next level is to use an isopropyl alcohol wipe such as Clens wipes from Bausch and Lomb. These are convenient, but at around 75 cents each, the cost can add up.

The third option is to make your own solution by mixing 70% isopropyl alcohol with distilled water. Using distilled water, higher concentration alcohol and avoiding things like fragrances makes for a cleaner solution with fewer chemicals or minerals left behind. Fill a spray bottle with the solution, moisten a lint free cloth (no paper tissues) and gently wipe the device. Do not spray the device directly. You can use small foam applicators to get into corners and crevices.

The fourth option is to use a sterilizer. Once again you can’t pop an iPhone into your Statim, but there are ultraviolet systems designed for electronics. The Violife is just $50, looks like a countertop coffee grinder and works with smart phones but is too small for tablets. If you have one of these in the operatory, you could even offer to sterilize patient’s phones as an added service while they are in the chair. That not only provides a benefit but it gets the phone out of their hands while they are being treated.

Another UV option is a sanitizing wand. These inexpensive handheld devices are reported to kill up to 99.99% of germs and can be used for phones, tablets and even conventional mice and keyboards.

Cleaning keyboards usually starts by spraying the surfaces with compressed air. Most people buy cans of compressed air, but in dentistry we have air compressors and a great three way syringe delivery system right in our treatment rooms. Just be sure to clear any water from the lines before spraying the keyboard.

Next wipe off the grime with a moist microfiber cloth and then finish up with the UV wand.

Another option is to buy rubberized or glass covered keyboards such as cleankeys that can actually be sprayed, wiped and sanitized using conventional methods.

Make it a habit: brush, floss and wipe your phone. The future is coming and it will be amazing!

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