PRODUCTS
Disinfectant wipe meets new standard
PAL INTERNATIONAL has combined the launch of its latest product with a campaign to raise awareness of the first real-world European test for chemical disinfectant wipes. These wipes are widely and increasingly used in healthcare environments, but until the introduction of EN 16615:2015 there was no dedicated efficacy testing for such wipes. Responding to healthcare market demand for a robust single product, the company has applied its technical expertise, as well as an understanding of the strict regulations
surrounding the use of disinfectant chemicals, to introduce the Medipal 3 in 1 disinfectant wipe which complies with the new standard. Also known as the 4-field test, the application of EN 16615:2015 requires products to achieve a 99.999% reduction for bacteria and a 99.99% reduction for yeast. However, the standard, developed by German experts and applicable EU-wide, has so far gained little attention or adoption in the UK. Speaking after the launch of the new product, Alex Brucciani, managing director for Pal International commented: “I am struck by the confusion in the market regarding the correct regulatory standard to follow in any purchasing decisions. While there is a 3-Stage Test for disinfectant wipes, it has not been adopted by the European Committee for Standardisation (CEN) to become an EN standard. EN16615 has however been approved, making it the reference standard for testing disinfectant wipes.”
Negative pressure wound therapy recommendation
SMITH & NEPHEW has welcomed the publication of new global guidelines from the World Health Organization (WHO) outlining strategies to reduce rates of surgical site infection (SSI). Among the 27 separate topics, the guidelines recommend the use of (prophylactic) negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) in adult patients on primarily closed surgical incisions in high-risk wounds. The WHO guidelines also point towards the adoption of more portable devices to ensure the use of NPWT doesn’t prolong hospital stay.
PICO is a single-use NPWT system and its role in reducing surgical site complications is documented in a recent meta-analysis (Hyldig et al, Br J Surg. 2016). Since the WHO team reviewed the evidence for NPWT (October 2015) a new
RCT has been published demonstrating the ability of PICO to reduce surgical site complications in orthopaedic surgery (Karlakki et al, Bone Joint Res. 2016). Dr Niz Islam, vice president, scientific and medical affairs, at Smith & Nephew, said: “These new WHO guidelines provide important insights into optimising clinical management strategies for preventing SSIs, which are an increasing concern for healthcare providers and their patients around the world. This is a significant addition to the growing body of literature supporting NPWT as an effective prophylactic treatment option for SSIs. It follows the recent release of a World Union of Wound Healing Societies Consensus document on the role of negative pressure in the management of Closed Surgical Incisions.”
Effective method of cleaning wounds
The PathAguard LUCA system, from PENTLAND MEDICAL, is an effective method of cleaning and treating leg ulcers/patient wounds without the risk of spreading infection. The disposable, antimicrobial-impregnated liners are used in conjunction with buckets and are easily disposed of, after cleansing leg ulcers and other patient wounds. The system offers antimicrobial pathogen protection, is safe, hygienic and cost effective, and is versatile enough to be used in both the home and healthcare settings.
In scientific studies undertaken by the Applied Microbiology and Immunology
Point-of-care ultrasound guides decision-making
Point-of-care ultrasound provides valuable additional information in emergency medicine, helping to guide clinical decision-making, and has an important role to play in the emergency department at the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital in Glasgow. The hospital is currently using SonoSite technology for a variety of applications.
Dr Jonny Gordon, EMED consultant at the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital in Glasgow, explained: “We routinely assess trauma patients by FAST and, in the event of a major incident, ultrasound can also provide an indication of which patients should be most urgently prioritised for CT scans.”
Ultrasound is important for line placement, while patient retrieval services also use point-of-care ultrasound and there is growing interest from the ambulance service. “We get advance notification of incoming patients diagnosed with life- threatening conditions, such as abdominal aortic aneurysms for example,” Dr Gordon commented. “Teaching is an important consideration and trainees attending one of our courses have the opportunity to try ultrasound for themselves, learning the basic technique before honing their skills under supervision in the hospital environment, in order to demonstrate their competency and achieve the necessary certification.
“SonoSite’s X Porte system, with its dual
Department at the Moyne Institute of Preventative Medicine in Dublin, PathAguard LUCA demonstrated its ability to decrease the threat of cross infection by reducing bacterial counts, when challenged, by >99%.
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screen, is particularly useful in this regard. Although training simulators are available, they are exceptionally expensive. With the X-Porte, trainees can scan a patient and visualise the image on the upper screen while simultaneously comparing it with a learning module displayed on the bottom screen.”
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