iPBundle to Prevent Infection Transmission via Tablets and Smartphones

​A bundle of interventions, including barrier protections, decontamination, and proper hand hygiene, can help limit the risk of infection transmission via tablet computers and other handheld devices, according to an article in the November 2013 American Journal of Infection Control. The authors, including three ECRI Institute staff members, note that cleaning instructions for such devices are focused on low-level cleaning appropriate for the consumer market and not for the pathogen removal required in healthcare environments. The four-pronged approach, dubbed the iPBundle, includes a blend of recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention regarding both critical and noncritical devices, as well as hand hygiene. The first bundle element is for a waterproof or water-resistant barrier to protect the phone, which can range from military-grade cases to simple, clear, disposable plastic bags.