Infection Prevention & Control (IPAC)
Position Statement
December 2013
Electronic (IT) Devices in Healthcare Settings
Electronic Devices are becoming increasingly more common in healthcare and serve a variety of functions. They
can include: devices that remain with the health care worker (i.e. smart phones), devices used for patient teaching
(i.e. Tablets, iPads), or devices that move from patient to patient in clinical areas (i.e. computers on wheels,
computer workstations).They can also be a source of transmission of microorganisms especially if utilized at the
point of care. Computers or tablets can be classed in 2 separate ways: as a non-critical patient care item (comes
in contact with skin but not mucous membranes) and second as a clinical contact surface (those surfaces that
might be touched frequently during patient care or that might become contaminated with blood or potentially
infectious material).
According to the Provincial Infectious Diseases Advisory Committee (PIDAC), “when selecting electronic
equipment, it is important that it be compatible with the cleaning and disinfecting agents used in the healthcare
setting and that manufacturer’s recommendations for cleaning are followed.”
Infection Prevention and Control Recommendations for Cleaning of Electronic Devices in the Health Care Setting
Include:
 Hand hygiene before touching the device, after utilizing the device, and prior to providing care to the patient
 Protect the equipment from contamination whenever possible. Place on a clean surface or use a barrier
e.g. cloth, clear disposable plastic bag or paper
 Avoid taking the device into areas where there is a high risk of contamination
 All touch surfaces of IT devices used at, or near, the point of care must be cleaned and disinfected with a
hospital-grade disinfectant (per manufacturers instructions) if used or touched during the encounter with
the patient.
 If an item cannot be cleaned with a hospital grade disinfectant and is necessary for patient care, a risk
assessment should be done with Infection Prevention and Control to determine the best approach to
mitigate the risk of transmission of microorganisms
 If an item cannot be adequately cleaned and will be accessed in a patient room or touched by patients, it
requires a cleanable cover. A waterproof/resistant, non-porous, hard or soft case and screen protector
should be applied to allow for cleaning of portable devices/tablets. Keyboard covers are available for
computers on wheels or computer workstations.
 The user/owner of the device is responsible for routine cleaning and disinfection of the device and this
should be completed after each patient encounter.
Bibliography:
1. CHICA- Canada Practice Recommendations. Infection Prevention and Control Related to Electronic
Devices in Healthcare Settings. June 2012.
2. Provincial Infectious Diseases Advisory Committee (OPIDAC). Best Practices for Cleaning, Disinfection
and Sterilization in All Health Care Settings. 2013: Available from:
http://www.cpsa.ab.ca/Libraries/Pro/IPAC_Best_Practices_med_equip.pdf
3. Manning, M., Davis, J., Sparnon, E. and Ballard, R. (2013). iPads, droids, and bugs: Infection prevention
for mobile handheld devices at the point of care. American Journal of Infection Control: 41 (1073-6).
4. Vancouver Coastal Health. Care of Computer Equipment in the Home and Community Setting (e.g.
laptops, tablets, etc). 2006. Available from:
http://www.vch.ca/media/Guideline_care_computer_equipment.pdf