Highmark Health
Project
Highmark Health
Industry
Healthcare
Location
Pittsburgh, PA
The Challenge:
Reducing Cross-Contamination Risks from Shared Mobile Devices
Highmark Health, the largest healthcare system in the Pittsburgh region, was grappling with a hidden threat: shared smartphones. These devices, checked out by nurses at the start of their shifts, traveled many areas within a hospital. As a result, smartphones posed a serious cross-contamination risk, often acting as silent vectors in clinical environments.
Although staff used Sani wipes to clean phones when checking them in, this practice had clear limitations. Wipes offered no audit trail to prove sanitization and frequent use degraded device screens, reducing usability. With every smartphone connected to their Mobile Device Management (MDM) system, Highmark needed a solution that offered both verified sanitization and seamless integration into existing workflows.
The Solution:
Verified UV-C Sanitization That Easily Integrates
Highmark Health implemented the ElectroClave®, a hospital-grade UV-C sanitization and charging station purpose-built for shared mobile technology. Nurses now badge in to access the ElectroClave, which automatically identifies the user and assigns them a specific phone. At the same time, the device is being sanitized using UV-C light—achieving a 6-log (99.9999%) reduction of pathogens such as C. diff and MRSA.
The ElectroClave’s compatibility with Highmark’s MDM system allows the organization to know exactly which device was cleaned. Unlike the alcohol-based Sani wipes, UV-C sanitization leaves no residue, causes no screen etching, and ensures each device remains in top condition.
Beyond smartphones, Highmark has even used the ElectroClave to sanitize tablets, even masks, showcasing its versatility and compatibility with a wide range of clinical tools. Best of all, the ElectroClave requires no additional steps in the workflow. It provides verified sanitization and storage while the device charges, making it a quiet but powerful addition to Highmark’s infection prevention strategy.
The Impact:
Device Confidence and Audit-Proof Sanitization
With ElectroClave in place, Highmark Health has closed the loop on a major infection control gap. Every nurse now receives a smartphone that has been fully sanitized and logged—eliminating the guesswork and manual steps associated with wipes.
This system also prepares Highmark for audits. Highmark has the data to confidently demonstrate compliance, protect shared devices, and provide safer care environments—one clean phone at a time.