Hospital-Grade iPad Cleaning and Disinfection: Wipe Tested and Approved Best Practice

In hospitals and clinical environments, iPads play a critical role in patient care, rounding, bedside documentation, telehealth, translation services, education, and secure communication. Because these devices are frequently shared and carried between units, they also become high-touch surfaces that require consistent cleaning and disinfection.

NutKase cases are designed for demanding healthcare settings where devices are used continuously, handled by multiple team members, and cleaned often. Our cases have been wipe tested and approved with hospital disinfectants to support routine infection prevention protocols. This helps staff confidently sanitize devices between patients, shifts, and clinical areas while maintaining long-term durability and performance.

Why iPad Cleaning Matters in Healthcare

iPads are often used across multiple clinical workflows in a single day. Unlike many personal-use devices, healthcare iPads may move from nurse stations to patient rooms, between staff members, or across different departments. That means iPads and their cases should be treated as high-touch equipment that requires reliable disinfection routines.

Consistent disinfection helps support infection prevention efforts, improves device availability for the next clinician, and reduces the risk of cross-contamination when devices are shared.

Wipe Tested and Approved Disinfectants for NutKase iPad Cases

NutKase cases have been wipe tested and approved with the following disinfectants commonly used in healthcare settings:

• Oxivir TB, wipes and liquid spray
  

• Oxivir Five 16, spray
  

• Sani-Cloth Bleach Wipes (PDI), 10% bleach solution
  

• Easy Screen Wipes (PDI), 70% isopropyl alcohol
  

• Sani-Cloth AF3 (PDI), alcohol-free, bleach-free, and hydrogen peroxide-free
  

Always follow disinfectant label instructions for required contact time and safe use.

Best Cleaning Practices for iPads in Clinical Use

When cleaning a healthcare iPad, the case is the surface that receives the most contact. This makes it a key part of the disinfection workflow.

Below are best cleaning practices for NutKase iPad cases in hospital settings:

1. Pre-clean if visibly soiled
   If the case has visible dirt, residue, or build-up, pre-clean the surface before disinfecting. Disinfectants work best when the surface is free of debris.
   
   

2. Disinfect between patients and shared users
   In shared-device workflows, disinfect the iPad case between patients and staff members. This is especially important during shift changes, shared carts, and rounding.
   
   

3. Wipe all high-touch surfaces, edges, and corners
   Be sure to wipe the entire case, not just the back. Focus on the areas most often touched during use, including corners, grips, handles, and edges.
   
   

4. Avoid oversaturation near ports and openings
   To protect device openings, avoid excess liquid pooling near ports and cutouts. For liquid sprays, it is best practice to apply the spray onto a cloth first, then wipe.
   
   

5. Maintain required contact time per label instructions
   Disinfectants require the surface to remain wet for the full contact time listed on the product label. Follow your facility protocol and the disinfectant manufacturer’s instructions.
   
   

6. Use a fresh wipe when the wipe becomes dry or soiled
   If the wipe stops leaving the surface wet or becomes visibly dirty, replace it with a fresh wipe to ensure proper disinfection.
   
   

7. Allow to air dry before returning to clinical use
   After disinfection, allow the case to fully air dry before returning the iPad to use. This supports efficacy and helps prevent buildup or residue.
   
   

8. Follow Infection Prevention and facility protocol
   Hospitals may have specific workflows for device cleaning, isolation rooms, and shared equipment. Always follow the Infection Prevention team’s guidance and unit-level protocols.
   
   

When to Disinfect a Clinical iPad

Healthcare teams benefit from consistent guidance on when iPads should be disinfected, especially when devices move between units or staff members.

Disinfect iPads and cases in the following situations:

• Before and after patient contact
  

• Between shared users or shift handoffs
  

• After transport between units
  

• After use in isolation rooms (per protocol)
  
  

What Not to Use When Cleaning an iPad Case

Not all cleaning methods are safe or appropriate for medical device accessories. To protect the case, maintain fit, and support long-term durability, avoid the following:

• Abrasive pads or scouring tools
  

• Solvents or degreasers that are not approved by facility protocol
  

• Full submersion or soaking
  

• Compressed air into openings
  

• Excess liquid pooling near ports and cutouts
  
  

A Simple Reminder for Healthcare Teams

When iPads are used for clinical workflows, the goal is consistency. A simple, repeatable process is easier for staff to follow and easier for Infection Prevention teams to support.

Pre-clean when needed, disinfect using wipe tested and approved products, ensure full coverage and contact time, and allow the case to air dry before reuse.

Built for Healthcare iPad Programs

NutKase cases are designed to support high-use clinical environments with durable protection, a secure fit, and customization options for facility branding and department identification. This helps reduce device loss, improve accountability, and make it easier to manage shared iPad programs across units.

If your team is rolling out iPads for inpatient care, rounding, patient engagement, or mobile clinical workflows, NutKase can support your deployment with case options that are built for healthcare cleaning needs.