DALLAS, Tex. - Aug. 30, 2007 - That a keyboard is "spill resistant" and washable doesn't mean it can meet hospital and healthcare standards for sanitation, according to Unotron (www.unotron.com), the leading manufacturer and worldwide marketer of high quality, washable data input and security devices. The company today warned against competitor keyboards that, while they may be washable, may allow fouled detergent and solid matter to be trapped and contaminate the inside of the keyboard.
"This buildup of detergent mixed with particulate matter, food, and body fluids becomes worse over time and is never able to be removed," says Joseph Carabello, a director of Unotron. "Not just any sealed keypad will do."
"Specifically, some so-called 'sealed' keyboards allow water to enter and trust that it will run out through drain holes," Carabello explains."Particulate matter, food, even blood can be trapped permanently in keyboards with these cheap designs. They may still work after they get wet .but they can't be disinfected. Potential buyers should be aware that they are opening the door to bio-hazardous conditions that promote substandard infection control."
Carabello urges healthcare providers interested in maintaining sanitary or sterile computing environments to make sure their keyboard vendor can demonstrate and authenticate that their keyboard and input device products can pass "bacteria-kill" tests.
"We're able to do that and so are some other vendors of similar products," continues Carabello. "Unfortunately, there are now some devices out there that are represented as perhaps more than they are. Frankly, these look-alikes are dangerous in the healthcare environment."
Unotron's patented SpillSealR keyboards and mice feature a fully sealed structure that allows for washing and disinfecting, providing an easy solution to the problem of bacterial infection. They can be immersed in commercial grade detergents or antibacterial solutions and rinsed under tap water, without damaging the product or impacting functionality.
Solid matter and fluids remain on the outside of the Unotron keyboard and are easily flushed off, ensuring that the keyboard is sanitized.
Unotron's patented keyboard design, manufacturing and assembly cover the way that each dome is welded into its key assembly, sealing it against liquid or airborne penetration. SpillSealR protected to IP66 and NEMA 4X standards,Unotron's washable corded and wireless optical mouse product line is available with or without a scroll wheel in standard or overmolded rubberized finish. The newly patented Unotron ScrollSeal Washable Optical 3-button Mouse and Unotron SteriMax Washable Optical 3-button Mouse complement Unotron's SpillSealR corded and wireless computer keyboards and receivers, as well as its SmartRest SRC5 Smartcard Readers and external SAC2 Standalone Smartcard Readers.
About Unotron
With 30 years of OEM manufacturing experience, Unotron maintains a global footprint with offices located across North America, Europe and Asia, making everyday computing clean and safe for organizations around the world.Unotron designs, manufactures and markets high quality, washable data input and security devices that are easily cleaned and disinfected to mitigate the spread of infection in healthcare, education, commercial and government environments. Unotron holds patents for SpillSealR technology and draws upon a catalogue of patents in automated manufacturing systems and office products.
For more information, visit www.unotron.com or call 800.469.7440.
