With increasing handheld electronics use in hospitals, there is a risk that frequently touched objects can harbor germs, according to an article on the Becker's Infection Control & Clinical Quality website.
Because standard disinfecting methods could damage the electronics, hospitals are trying to figure out how to keep tablets and cell phones from spreading germs.
A study published in the American Journal of Infection Control examined the use of UV light to disinfect these electronics.
Researchers used a handheld UV-C-emitting light and found that a few seconds of irradiation led to a significant reduction of the bacterial load on the surface of the electronics.
From Downtime to Data: Rethinking Restroom Reliability in Healthcare
LeChase Building Four-Story Addition to UHS Delaware Valley Hospital
AdventHealth Sebring Breaks Ground on Expansion Project
Regulations Take the Lead in Healthcare Restroom Design
AHN Allegheny Valley Hospital Opens Expanded Inpatient Rehabilitation Unit