INFECTION PREVENTION sponsored by
“The demand for advanced wound care is anticipated to increase due to the rise in the geriatric population and the incidence of diabetes, obesity and chronic conditions, particularly in disadvantaged populations affected by COVID-19,” explained Brüls. “However, many trends that emerged in 2020 offer promise. We expect to see more advancements in digital tools, such as telehealth and educational apps, and increased efforts to ensure coor- dination of care across settings. Hospital leaders will select industry partners based on their ability not only to assist them in controlling costs, but also to deliver a better patient experience, improved out- comes and greater operational efficiency.” Clinicians face significant challenges
in preventing wounds, most notably pressure injuries, when caring for criti- cally ill COVID patients, according to the National Pressure Injury Advisory Panel (NPIAP). In its recent position paper, NPIAP describes how clinicians struggle to adhere with the standard care protocol of turning critically ill patients from side-to- side when the patients are suffering from respiratory distress: “For the COVID-19 patient with acute respiratory distress syndrome, prone positioning is often used for many hours and/or days and ‘turning’ is limited to microshifts and changing the position of the head, arms and upper body according to ‘swimmer position’ protocols. In certain situations, it is not only challenging but sometimes not possible to reach an angle allowing adequate reperfusion of skin and soft tissue while maintaining adequate oxygenation, hemodynamic status and a safe airway for patients.”7
Advances in Negative Pressure Wound Therapy (NPWT), which uses suction, tub- ing and wound dressing to remove excess exudate and any infectious material that may be present in the wound, can help heal complex wounds, reduce healing time and improve quality of life for patients.8 A peer-reviewed poster published at the
Sym posium on Advanced Wound Care (SAWC) Fall 2020 demonstrated how the Medela Invia Liberty is innovating the standard of care for NPWT.8
The device
contains a double lumen technology called Intelligent Pressure Control and Dynamic Exudate Removal, which ensures the prescribed pressure is consistently deliv- ered at the wound bed while reacting to fluctuations in fluid volume or viscosity to more efficiently clear fluid and prevent blockages.
Data-driven cleaning Environmental services (EVS) profession- als play a critical role in reducing infec- tious disease spread in healthcare facilities. During the pandemic, guidance has been issued to enhance cleaning protocols, while at the same time, protect EVS from contracting the virus. In June 2021, U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) issued its Emergency Temporary Standard for COVID-19, under which healthcare facili- ties must provide protections to workers. This includes supplying personal protec- tive equipment (PPE), screening everyone who enters the facility for COVID-19 and giving work- ers time off for vaccination.9 In March 2021, The
Association for the Health Care Environment (AHE) published its new Health Care Environmental Services competency model, which it describes as the “first interac- tive competency model tool for health care environmental services professionals, includ- ing technicians, supervisors, managers and directors.” Competency areas include cleaning and disinfection, linen handling, infection prevention, waste handling, safety, com- munication, patient focus and customer service, and emergency preparedness and response.10 Cleaning and disinfecting healthcare
Medela Invia Liberty Negative Pressure Wound Therapy (NPWT)
facilities for patient care during a pandemic has been an overwhelming challenge. To help EVS managers efficiently and effec- tively maintain safe and hygienic environ- ments, Essity now offers a data-driven cleaning approach called Tork EasyCube. The system uses real-time data, letting EVS managers know when and where to act most urgently. Users can track real-time data on consumption levels of hygiene solutions such as toilet paper, hand towels and skincare. They can also track the number of visitors that have entered a given space to help
26 September 2021 • HEALTHCARE PURCHASING NEWS •
hpnonline.com
make sure the proper cleaning effort is executed based on the facility’s desired thresholds. “Seeing where and when a new refill is necessary or when a cleaning round needs to take place helps avoid unnecessary checks,” said Chung. “Tork EasyCube leads to 24% fewer cleaning rounds, 20% less cleaning hours, 30% more customer satisfaction and bathrooms being stocked 99% of the time.” “The use of real-time data helps eliminate over (and under) cleaning as it lets you transition from static cleaning rounds to needs-based cleaning. It also helps report- ing, analytics and KPI tracking,” Chung added. Tork EasyCube currently offers three different levels of data-driven cleaning: software solution, people counters and connected dispensers. Customers can pick which level best suits their needs based on the size of their facilities, number of sites and complexity of their operations.
Essity Tork
Alcohol Gel Hand Sanitizer
Looking ahead While COVID-19 has topped media headlines for the past 18 months, other significant dangers that have long existed still pose substantial risks to patient care and safety. As the threats from HAIs, SSIs and chronic wounds continue on top of SARS-CoV-2 spread, the burden on clini- cians, EVS professionals and other health- care stakeholders grows. Fortunately, some of the same processes, practices and interventions that are effec- tive against COVID-19 are also helpful in the fight against nosocomial infections. If the pandemic has taught us anything it is to wash our hands, protect our airways and be vigilant when it comes to initial symptoms and worsening conditions. Continuing to apply those lessons, even when (or if) COVID ever leaves the scene, will help provide broad protection against illness moving forward. HPN
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