Touchscreen Infection Control in Practice

Last week I ran my course "iPad Use in Activity and Leisure for the Older Person"  in the beautiful regional Victorian town of Mansfield.  Part of the running of my courses always includes an infection control protocol.

1.  Prior to the course I performed a thorough clean of the iPad using the deBac App procedure and antibacterial wipes.  I logged the cleaning on the log file of the app.

2.  When all the participants were seated, I explained how I perform infection control when doing an iPad group activity by ensuring the iPad is clean and everyone's hands are clean.  This can either be done by hand washing with soap and water then drying, prior to joining a group activity, or use of disinfectant wipes or hand gels before an activity begins.  I then applied disinfectant hand gel to my own and each participants hands, which they rubbed in.

3.  The participants and I had a great morning exploring and trying out different apps (using the one iPad) and how they can be used in a person-centered way.  I also demonstrated the deBac App and log to show how easy it can be to clean the iPad and log infection control procedures.

4.  At the conclusion of the course I performed a thorough clean of the iPad using antibacterial wipes and again applied some antibacterial gel to my hands .

If people are only allowed to access touchscreens using stylus pens, this can inappropriately discriminate against those individuals that cannot hold a pen.  It also prevents people being able to use apps as they are supposed to be used such as "Piano" which requires two hands and multiple finger activity.  It also removes the ability to use the physical components I have previously described, such as "Cake Doodle" or "GT Racing".

So my advice is, develop an appropriate infection control policy based on the evidence, that does not unfairly and unnecessarily discriminate against older people and allow them the same opportunities of choice, social interaction and fun that we have.

My next post will be about the exciting apps discussed at the Dementia and Technology Conference.

 

Infection Control Recommendations for iPads/Tablets

These recommendations are based on the research listed in my previous post as well as;

Hand Hygiene Australia
Hand Hygiene in Outpatient and Home-based Care and Long-term Care Facilities
www.hha.org.au

WHO (World Health Organization)
Clean Care is Safer Care (2005)
Save Lives: Clean Your Hands (2009)

Australian Guidelines for the Prevention and Control of Infection in Healthcare (2010)
www.nhmrc.gov.au
B1.4.2 Routine Environmental Cleaning

Recommendations for Infection Control in the Use of iPads/Tablets/Mobile Phones;

1.  Implement staff/carer education in the need for regular cleaning of touchscreen devices and knowledge of protocols (including mobile phones)
2.  Provide education in hand hygiene for both staff/carers and users/residents/patients - recommend before and after using device
3.  Develop guidelines on method of cleaning the device. Do not use antibacterial sprays or liquids directly on the devices.  Apply to a cloth first, or use wipes.
4.  State frequency of cleaning -after each use and thorough cleaning at the end of the day
5.  Provide documentation of cleaning protocol- de Bac App includes a log record

In my next post I will discuss a working example of how infection control can be managed using iPads.

Unnecessary Barriers to Accessing Touchscreen Technology for Older People

There are already challenges, both physical and cognitive, for older people accessing technology.  So it is very disappointing when practices are implemented that unnecessarily create barriers for older people.  Particularly when these approaches are not based on best practice or evidence based research.

Last week I had a discussion with some carers who were concerned that some nursing homes are only allowing residents to use iPads with a stylus pen.  The residents are not allowed to touch the touch screen.  An oxymoron if ever I heard one!

Infection control is a very important issue and appropriate use and cleaning of equipment should always be included in policies and procedures.  The iPad should be managed the same way as every other type of  equipment, by undertaking an appropriate risk assessment and implementing an effective management plan.

 What does the research show?
Bacterial contamination does occur with touchscreen devices when they are not managed by an adequate infection control procedure.
Gould et al (2009)
Brady et al (2009)
Brady et al (2012)
Ramesh et al (2008)
Sadat Ali M et al (2010)
These research articles are based on mobile phone technology.  An area still overlooked in terms of infection control.

When regular cleaning of devices occurs using antibacterial wipes, there is effective reduction and inactivation of residual bacteria.
Use of wipes other than dry fleece may affect warranty of a product.

Urs-Vito Albrecht et al (2013)
This article is a review of an iPad cleaning protocol using antibacterial wipes and the deBac App which I described in my post on 14 July 2014.  They found that regular cleaning with antibacterial wipes was more effective than a clean cloth in providing effective disinfection of the iPad.

My next post will discuss management recommendations for iPad/tablet infection control.

A Busy Week!

Last week was a very busy week.  I attended the Technology and Dementia Conference run by Alzheimers Australia, I ran an "iPad in Activity and Leisure" aged care course in regional Victoria and tried out a few new apps with my delightful residents. Networking is always an integral part of these events and some interesting issues where discussed.  My next series of posts will be about these, as well as the exciting work being done in the development of apps for cognitive stimulation and reminiscence for people with dementia.