Decontamination
Figure 2: Savings per cycle for UV-C Minibox HD2 compared with washer-disinfector (WD) and autoclave when reprocessing anaesthetic masks
UV-C LED technology, which Mackwell Health claims will further reduce cycle times and energy consumption. Ultimately, the negative effects of healthcare processes on the environment are undeniable. The need for health-related institutions to make the switch to reusable PPE over the coming years is paramount and reusable respirators and masks offer the potential to address both the environmental and economic challenges. To support this change, it is vital for more segments to adopt a new mindset and build an ecosystem of technology and processes so that new innovations can work together to provide a sustainable solution.
Next steps...
Figure 3: Financial and CO2e savings when using the Minibox HD2 compared with single use masks or reusable masks reprocessed in washer-disinfectors or autoclaves
The UV-C cabinet has been launched to market by Mackwell Health as ‘Minibox-HD2’. It is lightweight and low power (0.006kWh per mask cycle). Two other sizes of box are now in progress which will extend the range for other medical device decontamination, as well as new locations such as ambulances, where a smaller ‘Microbox’ is targeted. A larger ‘Tallbox’ will allow effective decontamination of expensive and fragile devices such as ENT probes. The complete range is based on LED technology and the interior of the cabinets are fully reflective to overcome issues with shadowing.
CSJ
About the author Figure 4. Minibox HD2
Switching from the 2 million single use anaesthetic masks used by the NHS each year, to 40,000 reusable anaesthetic masks, will require 18 to 115 swimming pools of water if using traditional methods of washer disinfection. However, a move to UV-C could almost eliminate reduce this figure, while reducing the waste associated with single use. The new process can have a significant benefit towards the NHS target achievement of Net Zero carbon. For the anaesthetic mask use case alone, independent life cycle analysis has estimated that up to 900 Tonnes of CO2e could be saved if implemented across NHS England. As additional devices become qualified for decontamination in this way, this figure can multiply dramatically. The trial at Northampton has found that users
like the process, as the cabinets require very little training. It also found that the masks could be used up to 100 times without degradation.
Other items could also be reprocessed using the UV-C cabinet and Mackwell Health has now been awarded UK Government SBRI funding to look at a number of other devices – such as laryngoscopes, ultrasound and ENT probes, electronic devices (e.g. tablets and smart phones), eye protection and respirators. The technology also has quick turnaround times, is multi use, extends the life of equipment by eliminating the use of harmful chemicals, and can be located either at the point-of-care or in sterile service departments according to the user’s preference and infrastructure. A remote monitoring option is available to allow decontamination professionals to oversee that best practices are being followed when the technology is distributed around a hospital site. Future developments are already underway
which will extend the specification of the Whitebox range to adopt future generations of
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www.clinicalservicesjournal.com I September 2024
Paul has a military background in engineering, before qualifying as a Management Accountant and was then employed as a Management Consultant. He has 16 years independent consultancy experience from setting up the first Health and Wellbeing Hub in the Sir Ludwig Guttmann Centre, with providers from Moorfields, Barts and Homerton Hospitals. Paul was the Head of PPE Reuse, Innovation and Sustainability in DHSC and NHS Supply Chain for 3 years in the pandemic. The team trialled the first ever reusable Type IIR mask, to replace single-use masks and Paul’s team also designed, developed and launched the Glove MOOC – an on-line education package aimed at reducing the 6bn-7bn gloves used annually, as well as the waste and CO2(e). Paul is now an independent consultant focusing on innovation and sustainability, and managed a study with Northampton General Hospital NHS Trust and Mackwell Health, to reprocess reusable anaesthetic masks.
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