P RODUCT S Single device for the surgical journey
There are many approaches which aid infection control, but perhaps one of the less obvious is the part that using a single device for the surgical patient journey (for transport, treatment and recovery) can play. Having as few devices/transfers as possible minimises
the risk, particularly in same-day surgery. One solution is the ANETIC AID QA4
Powered Mobile Surgery System, which been popular since it was first developed in 2004. There are now more than 2,500 in use in some 110 same-day surgery departments across the UK, all offering superior surgical access on a platform designed to be easy to clean because of its smooth moulded surfaces and acrylic capped vac formings, which minimise dirt traps. The surgery trolley is also fitted with a K8 pressure care mattress as standard – another aid to infection control as it is designed to reduce the risk of pressure sores during surgery. The combination of the QA4 Powered Mobile Surgery System and accessories offers a significant advantage in infection control.
Innovative specimen pouch wins award
ALPHA LABORATORIES and Shuttlepac have announced that the innovative ShuttlePouch has been awarded Flexible Plastic Pack of the Year in the 2021 UK Packaging Awards. ShuttlePouch provides a compliant UN3373 sample packaging solution that protects users from exposure to biological samples during transit and on arrival at the laboratory.
It addresses the needs of users, improving ease of use and reducing the cost of packing and shipping sample tubes, compared with using conventional methods. In addition, ShuttlePouch is claimed to contain up to 83% less plastic than other standard specimen pouches, making it a more environmentally friendly option. The ShuttlePouch range of leak proof pouches is designed to carry individual 95kPa pressure differential certified blood or
Closing the loop
urine specimen tubes (or any similar sized specimen tube).
They include absorbent material already inside the pouch for convenient compliance to UN3373 packaging requirements. The pouches also feature a transparent front so the tube and label are clearly visible. An easy to open tear area facilitates processing when the samples arrive at the lab. Each leak proof pouch is printed with easy-to-follow instructions showing how to pack and seal the specimen tube.
The world has become acutely aware of the importance of PPE and handwashing, but when a virus is airborne, how can we close the loop in infection control? Prof. Daniel Bonn and G. Aernout Somsen recently conducted a study1 in an outpatient cardiology unit to test the effectiveness of the Novaerus 800 (NV800) – an air disinfection device from H&R HEALTHCARE. Patients were subject to a bicycle cardiac stress test, with each patient instructed to keep the cycle speed around 50-60 rounds per minute. The results showed that, without the NV800 device, the cardiac stress test produced a significant amount of potentially dangerous aerosols. However, the NV800 device substantially reduced the amount of aerosol droplets during testing, to levels where they could no longer be detected. The authors concluded that the system can mitigate the transmission risk of SARS-CoV-2 by aerosols – during cardiac stress testing and possibly other procedures – enabling a safe continuation of crucial healthcare services during the COVID19 pandemic.
Reference 1 Somsen GA, Bonn D (2021) Infection control unit suppresses airborne aerosols during cardiac stress testing in an outpatient cardiology clinic. J Clin Exp Cardiolog. 12: 692
Integrating decontamination technology into healthcare buildings
The COVID-19 pandemic has reiterated the importance of robust cleaning processes, demonstrating that manual cleaning alone is not enough to combat healthcare acquired infections and reduce the risks of transmission within patient care facilities. While manual cleaning continues to have a place for removal of visible dirt and stains, additional decontamination is required to remove the harmful microorganisms left behind that can’t be seen. The Ultra-V Connect, designed by INIVOS, has been developed using ultraviolet light (UV-C) which reduces harmful pathogens, including the SARS-CoV-2 pathogen which causes the COVID-19 virus, by up to >log5.
The technology provides pioneering in-built infection prevention and control that delivers validated processes, complete with robust reporting at the end of every cycle installing confidence and reassurance in staff and patients. It is designed to attach to ceilings, and its rapid-deployment, short cycle duration and enhanced safety measures make it ideal for use for spaces that need to be regularly decontaminated.
Able to decontaminate a space in as little as twenty-five minutes, the Ultra-V Connect is ideal for small, frequently used rooms and spaces, such as outpatient clinics, isolation wards, dirty utility spaces and dental surgeries. Multiple units can be connected
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to a single controller to serve larger areas such as theatres and multi-bed wards. The Ultra-V Connect is fully calibrated to create self-disinfecting rooms, such as high traffic touch-points or specific patient equipment within the space it is fitted.
DECEMBER 2021
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