The Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) houses newborns who require intensive medical treatment. These are high-acuity units that often contain a mix of private rooms and pods.

The CleanSlate UV solution has been chosen by NICUs across the country to sanitize cell phones, tablets, and other personal items. As with any new piece of technology, location is a key variable.

No training is required to use the CleanSlate, making it ideal for public-facing environments. We often conduct in-services to provide nurses and doctors with an overview of the technology.

They are constantly touched (often right after washing hands);

They are proven to harbour bacteria, with at least 1 in 4 devices contaminated with pathogenic bacteria;

Harsh chemical wipes often damage the sensitive touch screens.

Most people are aware of UV-A and UV-B light as it pertains to the sun (and our tan). There are the potential health risks of sun exposure, the need to apply sunscreen to prevent burning, and the potential development of skin cancer.

UV-A is the longest wavelength of the three. This means that UV-A light can penetrate farthest into tissue, and can reach the dermis (middle) layer of skin.

UV-B is a shorter wavelength that is mostly absorbed by the ozone layer, and the rays that do pass through the atmosphere can only penetrate the epidermis (the outermost layer) of the skin.

For many people, the words ‘clean’ and ‘sanitize’ are synonymous. They assume that cleaning their phone will kill all the bugs, or that sanitizing a phone will clean it.

To clean a phone screen is simply to physically wipe it down. This can be done with a microfiber cloth, a wet wipe, or just the sleeve of your shirt; essentially any common soft tissue or fabric.

Sanitization can be achieved in several different ways, including germicidal ultraviolet (UV) light. In contrast to cleaning (which emphasizes the removal of debris, but doesn’t define any reduction in bacteria), the act of sanitization focuses almost exclusively on reducing bacterial counts on a given surface.

The sun produces a spectrum of UV light, including UV-A, UV-B and UV-C.

In the 1960’s, the growing popularity of UV light stalled. This was attributed to the discovery of more powerful drugs, chemicals and antibiotics.

However, over time, UV technology became more economical while concern regarding the environmental and human health impacts of chemical disinfectants began to grow.

As the focus on infection control has grown, so has the number of new companies and technologies looking to address these problems.

When looking at disinfection or sanitization products, there are two broad categories of validation: lab results and real-world.

Our client-led case studies almost always demonstrate a 100% reduction in harmful bacteria, but because of the points outlined above, we would never claim to kill 100% of bacteria.

They are constantly touched (often right after washing hands)

They are proven to harbour bacteria, with at least 1 in 4 devices contaminated with pathogenic bacteria

Harsh chemical wipes often damage the sensitive touch screens.

This means our hands are one of the first points of contact for germs. Most people practice good hand hygiene during specific activities like using the bathroom, during and after meal prep, etc.

In the hospital, staff should aim to wash their hands constantly and properly. This could mean using the 6-step hand washing technique

Hand hygiene is the centrepiece of any good infection control practice. The implementation of proper processes and monitoring can drastically reduce the spread of infection.

Whether it is hospital staff using an iPhone to record patient data and calculate doses, or visitors using an iPad as a communication and education tool, mobile devices are versatile and omni-present.

Because mobile devices are ultimately handled by users, facilities need to ensure that users’ hands are being washed or sanitized as well.

Our team has always prioritized seamless hand-and-device hygiene integration. Our solution is specifically engineered to provide touch-free device retrieval, using a lid that opens automatically once a device has been sanitized

Staff and visitor use of smartphones, tablets and other touchscreen devices is increasing exponentially. Yet these devices are rarely cleaned or disinfected, creating a cross-contamination and infection risk.

Over the last couple years, several countertop UV disinfection devices have come to market, including the CleanSlate UV sanitizer, the PhoneSoap™ Med+ and ReadyDock™ Duo.

To help facilities navigate this challenge and select the most effective solution, we’ve published a free “Guide to Evaluating Countertop UV-C Disinfection”.