KSI Leads the Way to Safer Healthcare
Interview with KSI National Sales Manager Deanne Van Kirk
Q: Thank you for taking time to speak about KSI today, Deanne. Can you please describe your role at KSI?
A: Yes, my pleasure. I’m the National Sales Manager. I’ve been with KSI for over 30 years and work closely with our healthcare clients.
Q: Great. Let’s talk about KSI’s LinkSmart® cleaning button and San-a-Key® software. Can you explain what they are and how they work?
A: Sure. The LinkSmart cleaning button is a feature integrated into our healthcare keyboards. LinkSmart is a bright red button that’s easily identifiable on the face of the keyboard and can be pressed by hospital staff to initiate the cleaning process of the keyboard’s surface. When the button is pressed, it temporarily disengages keys for cleaning and sends a signal to our San-a-Key software installed on the hospital’s network. The software triggers an onscreen keyboard schematic that guides the endpoint user in disinfecting the keyboard, one key at a time. The process is sophisticated yet also very easy and quick. Every key gets swiped by the user with a germicidal wipe, a brand approved for use by the hospital. Also, San-a-Key sends scheduled cleaning push reminders throughout the day to every desktop. This helps ensure that hospital staff are cleaning their KSI keyboards regularly and reduces the risk of spreading germs that cause infection. The enterprise version of our software allows administrators to know in real time the who, when and where of KSI keyboard cleaning throughout the facility. So, as you can see, LinkSmart keyboards with San-a-Key comprise of complete cleaning and monitoring system of KSI keyboards.
Q: That’s impressive.
A: Yes, say goodbye to outdated keyboards and hello to a new era of healthcare technology, right?
Q: Right! Can you speak to the importance of reducing hospital-acquired infections and how the LinkSmart and San-a-Key system can help in this regard?
A: Hospital-acquired infections are a serious issue that affect millions of patients every year. They can cause extended hospital stays, additional medical procedures, and in some cases, death. By deploying LinkSmart keyboards with San-a-Key, hospitals can significantly reduce the risk of cross-contamination and the spread of infectious diseases. The cleaning system prompts everyone on staff to clean their KSI keyboards regularly, according to schedule. This not only protects patients but also helps hospitals avoid costly lawsuits and negative press too.
Q: Interesting! Can you speak to KSI’s experience designing keyboards for healthcare settings?
A: Yes, we’ve been designing healthcare keyboards for over three decades. We’ve worked with some of the largest healthcare organizations in the country, and the world, and have gained extensive knowledge of the unique challenges that healthcare environments present. Our keyboards are designed to meet the rigorous cleaning and disinfection standards required in healthcare settings while also providing an excellent typing experience for clinicians. We really strive to listen to the needs of our customers and take an innovative approach to designing products that protect both their patients and their healthcare facilities.
Q: What sets KSI keyboards apart from others on the market?
A: Our keyboards are designed specifically with healthcare in mind and are unmatched in the marketplace. They’re made from high-quality materials that can withstand repeated cleanings and disinfection with EPA-certified germicidal wipes. And of course, our LinkSmart with San-a-Key is patented and unique, the outcome of our talented product team working long hours to address the needs of our customers. Equally important is our use of top quality, integrated security components in our keyboards, including biometric fingerprint readers and RFID card readers. We also have a special relationship with Imprivata, a leader in the healthcare industry. Our keyboards are compatible with Imprivata Confirm ID, which makes them ePrescribe-ready and capable of authenticating the user with Imprivata’s mobile app. Our customers can mix and match components for multiple layers of security, another factor in delineating our products from others. No other keyboard on the market offers as much as KSI keyboards in the realms of infection control and endpoint security to prevent data theft.
Q: How has the response been from healthcare organizations that have implemented LinkSmart keyboards with San-a-Key?
A: Response is overwhelmingly positive. We’re told regularly that nurses and doctors are amazed at how easy and efficient it is to disinfect our keyboards. They feel the cleaning system is really making a difference in keeping their desktops clean and preventing cross-contamination. Our team continues to be excited and proud that we’ve been successful in transforming the keyboard into a beneficial tool for healthcare.
Q: Can you speak to the ease of implementation for hospitals that want to switch to KSI keyboards with the LinkSmart with San-a-Key cleaning system?
A: Yes, switching to our keyboards and software is incredibly easy. Our team works closely with healthcare organizations to ensure a smooth transition, and we provide training and support throughout the implementation process. We understand that hospital clinicians are busy and don’t have time to hassle with complicated technology, which is why we’ve made our keyboards and software so user-friendly. They’re really quite easy to implement and use.
Q: Are there any upcoming developments or new products that we can expect from KSI?
A: Oh, yes. We’re constantly improving our products to meet the changing needs of the healthcare industry. We have several exciting projects in the works, including new keyboard models with even more advanced features that will be introduced this April at the annual HIMSS conference in Chicago. Everyone will just need to wait and see the great things we’ve come up with!
Q: Will do! Thanks again for your time, Deanne.
A: It’s always a pleasure to talk about what we do at KSI.
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