When considering buying a new diagnostic or dental monitor, the ability to thoroughly clean and disinfect the device is often overlooked. However, with the increased prevalence of (cross-)contamination, and the importance of infection control, a cleanable design is becoming indispensable.
It goes without saying that sensible hygiene regulations are vital to counteract the spread of these and other infections. For example, healthcare-associated infections (HAI) show a high resistance to antibiotics. Medical professionals routinely wash their hands with antibacterial agents, change gloves, and take many other precautions to prevent transmitting infections to patients.
However, computer monitors also harbor bacteria, and they are an underestimated source of cross-contamination. Monitors should have a protective cover, covering 100% of the front surface for optimal cleaning. LCD panels are vulnerable and cannot handle just any kind of chemical products. Moreover, having a flat cleanable surface eliminates the risk of accumulating bacteria.
Why clean your display?
In the healthcare sector, a clean working environment is just as indispensable as personal hygiene. There are about 10 million bacteria on a typical computer monitor, which is 400 times more germs than on the average toilet seat. There are also about 1.7 million cases of healthcare-associated infections (HAI) per year. Projected treatment costs for these are $45 billion annually.
How to clean your display?
Normally, you can clean a covered medical display just as any other medical equipment – no special handling needed. Swipe the flat, covered surface with a sponge, cleaning cloth or soft tissue, using a recognized cleaning product for medical equipment. Read your display’s user guide thoroughly for its specific cleaning instructions!
