OPERATING ROOM
Wiping out pathogens with multi-area cleaning
by Ebony Smith
nfections and deaths from COVID-19, caused by the virus SARS-CoV-2, con- tinue to soar throughout our communi- ties. Many people stay home, limit contact with others and hope to not get infected. But what if an emergency health situation arises and a hospital visit is needed? For vulnerable populations, such as
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senior citizens and individuals with seri- ous, underlying or immune-compromised health conditions, delaying or forgoing emergency care can cause harmful com- plications, or even deaths. That can be equally dangerous for people who are experiencing heart attacks, strokes or other life-threatening events. “A recent poll by the American College of Emergency Physicians found that 29 percent of adults have avoided medical care because they are concerned about con- tracting the virus,” shared Tom Mihaljevic, M.D., Cleveland Clinic CEO and Presi- dent, in his online message to patients. “Hospitals nationwide have seen a 38 percent decline in the number of patients presenting with heart attacks across the United States. This is extremely concerning, especially for patients with heart disease and cancer, who require early screening, constant surveillance and treatment. If you have a medical emergency, do not hesitate to call 911 or go to your nearest emergency department.”1
Ensuring safe spaces
The guidance is clear, however, from hospitals, healthcare facilities and medical associations, that it is currently safe for patients to go into medical settings for care. These facilities also are restarting elective surgeries and treatment, but with an eye of caution. The American College of Surgeons
(ACS) guidance states, “Although this document, ‘Local Resumption of Elective Surgery Guidance,’ provides principles to help local facilities safely resume procedures after COVID-19 peaks locally, there is still much work to be done. While COVID-19 cases may have peaked in certain areas, the virus is still circulating and there is much we don’t know about the etiology and progression of the disease.”2
To help keep patients, loved ones and staff safe, Cleveland Clinic and other facilities nationwide are following federal healthcare guidelines and putting protec- tive measures in place.
“Cleveland Clinic has been limiting visi- tors, delaying some surgeries, providing proper personal protective equipment for caregivers, disinfecting surfaces, practicing physical distancing and screening patients and caregivers for COVID-19 symptoms including taking people’s temperatures at building entrances,” Dr. Mihaljevic contin- ued in his message. “As we resume clinical services, we will continue to ensure that our patient waiting areas are reconfi gured for safety.” Other considerations for visitors to healthcare settings, according to guid- ance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), include, “Visitors should only visit the patient they are caring for and should not go to other locations in the facility. Facilities should provide education on appropriate PPE use, hand hygiene, limiting surfaces touched, social distancing, and movement within the facil- ity. Facilities should consider the need to conduct active screening for visitors with potential exposure to SARS-CoV-2 due to a breach in infection prevention and control (IPC) protocol.”3
Concentrated cleaning and infection prevention
Hospitals and other highly susceptible set- tings for viral, disease or healthcare-associ- ated infections maintain an increased focus on cleaning, disinfection and infection pre- vention during COVID-19. This may require adjusting supplies and equipment, conducting training for environmental services (EVS) staff, performing a variety of techniques, con- ducting frequent routines and covering many areas for adequate decontami- nation.
“COVID-19 heightened the awareness of the importance of cleaning and disinfection practices
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in hospitals and health- care facilities,” indicated Doe Kley, BS, RN, CIC, MPH, CIC, T-CHEST, Senior Infection Preven- tionist, Clorox Health- care. “The EVS teams that support medical facilities
Doe Kley
across the country have adapted their practices to help prevent the spread of SARS-CoV-2, especially increased fre- quency of high-traffic and high-touch equipment and environmental surfaces. And of course, they are ensuring they are using products effective against this virus (e.g., EPA List N). These teams are investing in more disinfection tools that have EPA-approved emerging viral pathogens claims against SARS-CoV-2. Examples include trusted solutions, like bleach, and new technologies, such as electrostatic sprayers.”
Disinfecting spaces
There has been a longtime commitment of cleaning along with a need for additional support to safely disinfect healthcare environments, emphasizes Sarah Sim- mons, DrPH CIC FAPIC, Senior Director of Science, Xenex Disinfection Services. “Hospital Infection Preventionists and EVS directors have been pleading for years for resources and new technology to enhance environmental cleanliness and battle deadly pathogens in their facili- ties,” Simmons said. “Nearly 300 people die every day in the U.S. from an infection they contracted during their hospital stay – and that was before COVID-19.”
Xenex LightStrike Germ-Zapping Robot
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