New medical keyboard from Medifilm combats superbugs

Called the Keywi MediBoard range, the new keyboards use advanced membrane switch technology to produce a completely sealed unit, using a conventional computer keyboard layout with the option of an integrated mouse-pad. Director of Medifilm, Eddie Taylor, highlights the benefits of this approach, “The MediBoard products are extremely robust, are sealed to IP65 standards and have individual domed switches, so tactile response even with gloved hands is excellent. This makes them ideal for a wide range of applications in hospitals, PCTs, residential care homes, dental surgeries and even veterinary practices, where they can be connected to computers and medical equipment using one of three integrated USB ports”.

Perhaps the most important aspect of the MediBoard is the fact that it is manufactured using the specially developed Autotex AM anti-microbial film from MacDermid Autotype. “This makes it truly unique”, explains Eddie Taylor, “as it enables us to offer our customers the ability to combat many of the viruses that lead to hospital acquired infections. These are well documented as a problem around the world, while a recent survey carried out by ‘Which Computer’ magazine showed that most conventional raised key type keyboards contain five times more bacteria than would be found on an average toilet seat.”

The Autotex AM anti-microbial film is used as the outer keyboard layer and incorporates a specially developed anti-microbial agent, which is distributed evenly throughout the hard surface coating on the film, so lasts for the lifetime of the keyboard. This continuously fights the growth of harmful bacteria and micro-organisms on the surface of the film and works by disrupting key cell functions, leaving microbes unable to function, grow or reproduce.

Eddie Taylor adds, “Other companies have approached the problem of keyboard contamination in different ways, for example using rubberised overlays with automated systems to remind users to clean the keyboard. By comparison, although our new keyboards still require normal cleaning, the fact that they are fully sealed and offer continuous and built-in anti-microbial protection make them a far more efficient and reliable solution”.

The new MediBoard keyboards use high definition key graphics and legends, which are printed on the underside of the anti-microbial outer surface, so will not wear or degrade over time. In addition, the outer surface is scratch and chemical resistant, while the Autotex AM film material offers an excellent flex modulus giving the tactile membrane keys an operating life in excess of five million cycles.