(Durham, N.C.) A report from researchers at Duke University in North Carolina showing that a single patient infected with the increasingly common “superbug” known as MRSA can cost a hospital $60,000, highlighting the need for washable technology in every hospital and health facility. UNOTRON (www.unotron.com), worldwide creator of patented medical grade, washable computer keyboards, scroll wheel mice, and smartcard readers, points to the minimal costs of its SpillSeal® products vs. the enormous financial risks and other significant problems associated with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA).

“There’s now a strong financial reason for health care organizations to introduce our reasonably priced products, given the Duke report of seven hospitals and health facilities which shows that taking action, even expensive action, to fight infections can save money,” says Joseph Carabello, CEO of Unotron. (www.plosone.org/article/info%3Adoi%2F10.1371%2Fjournal.pone.0008305)

Carabello also cites several separate studies which confirmed disinfection procedures of Unotron’s patented SpillSeal® washable computer keyboards and reported that a kill rate of 100 percent can be achieved using disinfectant spray products.

“With the average manufacturer-suggested retail price of Unotron keyboards at $45.99, this is a highly cost-effective investment,” he adds.

The Duke study suggests it is worthwhile for hospitals to cleanup, do more infection control and even hire a staffer to take on the issue. Last month, U.S. researchers reported that MRSA cases have risen by 90 percent since 1999 and kill 20,000 people a year.

“The now-documented staggering costs of MRSA, coupled with the toll that it takes on human lives, merits the attention of every health care decision-maker and commands them to take action,” asserts Carabello. “The introduction of relatively inexpensive washable technology is one way to quickly thwart these deadly germs.”

Duke researchers point out that surgical site infections due to MRSA led to charges in excess of $19 million for the group of study hospitals, and led to a 7-fold increased risk of death, a 35-fold increased risk of hospital readmission, more than 3 weeks of additional hospitalization, and more than $60,000 of additional charges compared to uninfected controls. The team looked at records from more than 140,000 surgical procedures done between 1998 and 2003.

Unotron products are completely sealed and do not trap infectious germs and bacteria in drain holes. Products can be sprayed with household and hospital grade disinfectants. This is an important feature because bleach remains the only reliable substance that effectively kills lethal germs, and, unlike ordinary devices, Unotron’s computer keyboards and mice can be disinfected with a bleach solution without corroding the technology or compromising usability.  

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 SpillSeal® 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.