INFECTION PREVENTION
like COVID-19,” said Ben Oberle, Healthcare & Education Marketing Manager at 3M. “While a common misunderstanding, using more chemical does not equate to a better clean. Instead, using the appropriate amount of chemical with the proper dilution as well as marrying it with a sound protocol is key.” “Many products degrade surfaces, ruin computer screens, and/or leave residue behind on equipment,” said Guest. “If products leave residues, the need to rinse is an extra burdensome labor step.” Oberle recommends healthcare teams consider using a chemical management solu- tion, such as a 3M Chemical Management System, “to take the guesswork out of mix-
ing chemicals and help properly and easily dilute chemical concentrates every time.” “In achieving accurate dilution, teams can save on chemical costs, while also mitigating labor costs associated with re-cleaning,” Oberle commented. “In addition to ensuring you are using the right type and amount of product, pre-cleaning and abiding by dwell times are also critical steps to more efficient and effective disinfection practices.”
Supply chain challenges Disruptions in the global supply chain and the sharp and sudden demand for disin- fectants during the COVID-19 pandemic have resulted in supply shortages, explains Clarke. “The current COVID-19 pandemic caught most, if not all, hospitals unprepared as supplies of personal protective equipment (PPE), disinfectants and wipes quickly evaporated, and inventories were depleted with unpredictable lead times for replenish- ment,” he stated.
3M Chemical Management System
Heacock says the supply chain roadblocks caused by COVID-19 have made it even more challenging for healthcare facilities to procure disinfectants that are effective against a wide range of microorganisms,
not only SARS-CoV-2, but other dangerous viruses, bacteria and other microbes com- monly found in healthcare environments. “Since the COVID-19 pandemic hit,
obtaining disinfectants effective against a wide range of microorganisms, including the coronavirus, has become increasingly difficult, she said. any hospitals have been forced to revert to manufacturing solu- tions themselves. Many of these solutions contain respiratory irritants that may cause discomfort to team members. The pandemic has also made it challenging to obtain the PPE necessary to mix and use the solutions needed to disinfect surgical instruments.” Guest points out how nurses and infection prevention/control personnel have resorted to mixing their own disinfectants on-site using bleach concentrate, which is “unsafe for the workers and everyone involved,” as stated by Guest. Studies have shown that bleach exposure can raise the risk for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and other respiratory issues.
R-Water has developed a device that
enables healthcare workers to produce hundreds of gallons of hypochlorous acid, the active ingredient in bleach that does the killing, each day onsite. Unlike bleach,
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100 years of infection control. We’ve got this. Your partner in dialysis infection prevention.
®
High-Level Disinfectant Compatible with Catheters, Caps and Connectors
2 minute contact time kills bacteria, fungi, viruses and mycobacteria
Catheter material compatibility confirmed 30 month shelf life; 180 days once opened
www.angelini-us.com
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(800) 726-2308
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©2020
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