Hygiene and the Use of Robotic Animals in Hospitals: A Review of the Literature

The aim of this study is to synthesize the existing literature on hospital hygiene and robotic animals to provide researchers and professionals that use robotic animals in this environment with tools and guidelines. The conducted literature review leads to the conclusion that cleaning procedures reported in the included studies and hygienic guidelines cannot be applied to currently available robotic animals due to excessive use of water, disinfectants and high temperatures. This study consequently raises questions about the application of these robotic animals in more vulnerable populations and adds to the understanding of the required conditions for robotic animals if being developed to be used in healthcare institutions.