Time to Sanitize These Hardware Items in Your Lab!

Ah, the season for sneezin' is upon us! You share enough things with colleagues in the lab... no need to share germs, too. There's no time like the present to think about cleaning the hardware that your laboratory team is using with Voicebrook's pathology reporting solutions.

VoiceOver PRO users require a number of essential hardware items, and it's a smart idea to keep that equipment clean. If you're wiping down laboratory keyboards, countertops, and phones to prevent the spread of illness, you'll want to consider cleaning the hardware that the team is using for dictation.  

WHAT TO SANITIZE

Keep the following items on your radar when you go on a sanitizing spree! It goes without saying: be sure to follow manufacturer instructions when cleaning any equipment to prevent damaging the hardware. 

• Headsets The best option is for each user to have their own headset. If headsets are shared, windscreens should never be reused. Wipe down headsets daily with an approved disinfectant wipe. 
• Transmitters A single transmitter can be handled by multiple users, so you should bet on the fact that it's contaminated and always handle it with gloves. Ideally, clean these at the start and end of each session. Sanitize exposed surfaces with disinfectant wipes that your lab uses for computer components.
• Windscreens Mic windscreens improve your sound quality, but these little buggers are a trap for germs. We recommend always having extra windscreens on hand. If your lab shares headsets, windscreens should never be reused.
• Desktop Microphones A single desktop mic that's used by multiple people should be cleaned at the end of each shift with an approved disinfectant wipe. Windscreens should be discarded and replaced. A desktop mic that is not shared by multiple users should be cleaned weekly.
• Handheld Dictation Microphones Ideally, each user should have their own handheld dictation device. Wipe it down after every shift with a manufacturer-safe disinfectant. If you're sharing these, wipe down at the end of each session.
• Foot Pedals When we think of cold/flu/Covid season, we usually focus of washing our hands and keeping germs away from our mouths and noses. You're not likely to be putting your hands or face near a foot pedal (we hope) but everyone knows that the bottoms of shoes are gross. Lab floors are gross. If you're already cleaning everything else, why not wipe down your foot pedals with an approved disinfectant? Keep in mind that not every foot pedal is waterproof, so be sure to check the preferred cleaning method for your brand of pedal. 

STERILIZATION

Customers have asked us if there's an alternative to wiping down so many hardware items, especially if there is a concern over getting delicate equipment damp from sprays or wipes.

UVC sterilization is safe to use on any hardware Voicebrook sells. However, keep in mind that ultraviolet wavelengths only sterilize what the light can touch, so just throwing a bunch of equipment in a UVC box without arranging it correctly would leave some surfaces unsterilized.

If a UVC box is used, any windscreens should be thrown out before UV sterilization. Replace with a new windscreen after sterilization.

NEED NEW HARDWARE?

If the idea of cleaning shared items after every dictation session is too cumbersome, or you are simply grossed out by the idea of sharing hardware now that we've meticulously pointed out all the pathogen pitfalls you're likely to encounter, Voicebrook can help! 

If it's in your budget, eliminate the sharing of hardware and supply every user with their own equipment. Our Voicebrook team can set you up with additional Voicebrook-approved items, including:

• Sennheiser Kit (includes one ME3 Headset)
• Additional Sennheiser ME3 Headsets
• Flexy Mic 
• Desktop Mic
• Handheld Mic
• Wired USB Mic
• Bluetooth Mic
• Standard and Waterproof Foot Pedals

Ready to order or need some help figuring out the setup that works best for your lab? Contact us and we'll kickstart your journey toward clean, crystal-clear communication.