Germ Genie kills C. diff on keyboards

Published: 5-May-2011
Infection Control Cleaning

Uses UV light as the sanitising agent

Scientists at the University of Hertfordshire, who proved the effectiveness of Germ Genie, a tool to prevent infections from computer keyboards, have now found that it can kill Clostridium difficile.

Germ Genie, developed by Falcon Innovations, based in High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire, and tested at the University of Hertfordshire’s Biodet laboratory was launched in October 2010, at which point tests revealed that it kills 99% of E.Coli, Staphylococcus Aureus and Bacillus Subtillis across most of the keyboard in two minutes, and across the whole keyboard in 10 minutes.

The researchers have now shown that Germ Genie is also effective against C.difficile, the main bacteria to cause problems in UK hospitals because alcohol based hand rubs are ineffective against it.

Although the researchers found that Germ Genie takes longer to kill C.difficile than the other bacteria tested, the product provides a hostile environment, which significantly reduces the level of bacteria on computer keyboards.

Germ Genie works by sensing finger movement on the computer keyboard, and after the user has finished it sanitises the keyboard with UV light.

This treatment leaves the keyboard ready for the next user so they will not pick up microbes that can pose a risk of passing on infections such as flu, MRSA and E.Coli.

Unlike other solutions, it will sanitise the keyboard many times each day, at exactly the times it is needed, after each user.

Richard Smith, director of Biodet, said: “We were delighted to be able to continue the research related to the Germ Genie. To be an effective tool in infection control, the Germ Genie must be able to treat a range of superbugs, including C. diff.”

James Louttit, managing director of Falcon Innovations, added: “Many of our customers asked us about the Germ Genie’s effectiveness against C.difficile, and it is great to be able to show them results that demonstrate a hostile environment to this superbug. Cleanliness of high touch surfaces is an important part of an overall approach to infection control. Computer keyboards are often seen as difficult to clean, and may be left for many days without being washed. The Germ Genie does the job automatically up to 30 times per day for a fraction of the cost of manual cleaning.”

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