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Hygienic Dictation Practices in the Workplace

June 2, 2020 Cassandra Carse and Sophie Nixon in Dictation, Healthcare

Keeping the workplace hygienic is more important now than ever.

Speech mikes and dictaphones are widely used among medical professionals, and proper cleaning is essential to maintain a safe work environment and prevent the spread of germs. Luckily, many devices are designed with hygiene in mind.

Continue reading for tips on how to practice hygienic dictation at work…

The way we use dictation devices, particularly speech mikes, makes them perfect receptacles for germs. Extra care should be taken to make sure the device is properly cleaned.

Wash hands before and after use – it might seem obvious, but it is important to wash your hands before and after touching the equipment to prevent the spread of germs.

Disinfect thoroughly – use a medical-grade disinfectant to sanitise equipment before and after use. Make sure to use a soft cloth to prevent scratching the surface and damaging the casing. Disconnect all cables and avoid getting moisture in openings.

Minimise sharing – avoid sharing dictation equipment when possible. Take your personal device with you wherever you go by purchasing extra docking stations or pairing adapters such as the Philips AirBridge*.

Don’t touch the microphone to your mouth – keep the device approximately 10 to 15cm away from your mouth when dictating.

Consider hygiene properties – when purchasing a new device, make hygiene a priority in the decision. An antimicrobial surface makes usual cleaning efforts more effective and inhibits the growth of microorganisms such as bacteria and viruses. Recent models of Philips and Olympus speech mikes use antimicrobial materials.

More information on proper cleaning practices can be found in the user manual of your device and are often available online.

*Be sure to check compatibility with your device. The Philips AirBridge pairs with Philips SpeechMike Premium models and Philips SpeechOne devices.

Philips, Olympus and Pacific Transcription declines all responsibility for incorrect use of cleaning products.