Dealing with COVID-19 Pandemic has taught us all that we were not prepared for this occurrence. We were somewhat prepared for EBOLA., but most did not believe it would really be a factor in the US. When we were faced with a few cases some imported and some contracted while caring for those patients, no one continued to really think about it. We have come to accept the death of people with Flu in numbers that are unacceptable even in the presence and use of vaccine. Why have we been so complacent in our emergency Preparedness despite monies given to each State for these activities of preparedness? Why has the CDC been so slow to respond? Is it leadership? Is it money? Is it a lack of focus? Most Infection Preventionists look to the CDC for the ultimate guidance for our processes. As a nation we have faced many infectious challenges, but rarely of this intensity except for !916-1918 flu pandemic and HIV not called a pandemic, due to its select population of infected individuals at the start, but now an accepted part of our society. In the 80’s we had similar struggles of no effective drugs, no vaccine, no real knowledge as to the origin or means of transmission of the virus. In the 80’s we had demonstrations to support those with HIV and AIDS. Where are the demonstrations for better health care and preparedness today?
As we continue in the health care arena, we must reconsider how we manage our patients as well as our devices. Do we need to mask all patients as they enter our Emergency rooms, do we need to test all patient for the presence of antibodies? Will we vaccinate all incoming patients for COVID-19 as done for Flu and pneumonia? Will we all need to wear masks in our work and play. Do the masks really work?
What about our personal electronic equipment, our stethoscopes, bed-side monitoring devices, our eyeglasses, how will we assure that they are free of virus or bacteria? This issue is not new and certainly has been associated with a stream of hospital and facility health care related infections for many years. Why have our nursing homes been the target of COVID-19? Should we be surprised? Is this due to poor training, staff shortages, overcrowding, poor facility design, lack of equipment, poor supervision?
Lack of handwashing compliance has been with us for many years, perhaps now this is changing due to the spread of COVID-19. Yet, we do not have robust protocols for how to handle and disinfect our devices and tools as we practice our medical specialties and care for our patients.
The data suggests that we all touch our faces at least twenty times per hour, we touch inanimate objects, we touch our faces, sometimes we wash our hands. Hand washing becomes an impossible task no matter how robust our willingness to be compliant. Why are we not using better tools for protection? Hand sanitizers with long lasting disinfectant capabilities would be a great start…they are available but more expensive. Why are these not in widespread use in our healthcare facilities? Does increased cost have to be the limiting factor? Safety of our staff and patients should be paramount!
Use of bedside equipment and the disinfection thereof, has traditionally been with wipes, and more wipes. Issues with wipes are confusing…What do we use, when do we use, for how long, and does it make a difference? Our patients are using wipes too, with 99.9% (3-log kill), do they really make a difference in their homes? Are we just spreading more bacteria and viruses? Are we damaging electronic equipment and giving ourselves a false sense of security?
What alternatives can we use in the healthcare arena as well as other venues? Several companies manufacture UVC cabinets for use with smaller electronic devices, stethoscopes, point of care equipment, digital readers and unopened packages with medical supplies left in isolation rooms. Many have 30 second or less kill for C. diff and other pathogens. What if we had these in every clinical unit, and entry points in our hospitals, clinics, nursing homes, schools, and daycare centers along with easy-to-use hand sanitizers? These UVC units can also be used to rapidly disinfect masks when there is a shortage. The use of these cabinets with save time and money and assure disinfection that the wipes cannot provide. The UVC devices are robust and are certified to deliver the disinfection needed for our point of care needs as well as other venues. They do not damage electronics. Protocols for handling devices need to be considered in each venue to protect our patients, the elderly, kids, and ourselves.
For more information
Contact: Helene Paxton at BioGuidance Cell
Email: [email protected]
