Infection Control Today® ’s Post

🔍 Challenging ANTT, CDC, and WHO Guidelines for Aseptic Technique in Neonatal Care As neonatal healthcare professionals, it’s imperative that we adopt the most effective practices for infection control to safeguard our vulnerable patients. However, are current guidelines like ANTT (Aseptic Non-Touch Technique), CDC, and WHO truly sufficient for neonatal care? 1. ANTT (Aseptic Non-Touch Technique): - Focus: Protects key parts and key sites using non-touch techniques and sterile barriers. - Techniques: Differentiates between standard and surgical ANTT based on procedure complexity. - Tools: Includes the ANTT Competency Assessment Tool (CAT). - Reference: [ANTT Framework](https://www.antt.org) - Challenge: Does the distinction between standard and surgical ANTT adequately address the unique risks in neonates? 2. CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention): - Focus: Evidence-based practices to reduce catheter-related infections, critical for neonates who are at higher risk. - Guidelines: Emphasizes hand hygiene, maximal sterile barrier precautions, and skin antisepsis with chlorhexidine. - Training: Stresses the importance of healthcare worker education and competency in neonatal units. - Reference: [CDC Guidelines for the Prevention of Intravascular Catheter-Related Infections](https://lnkd.in/dgfEb3bU) - Challenge: Are these guidelines sufficiently stringent for the highly sensitive neonatal population? 3. WHO (World Health Organization): - Focus: Hand hygiene and safe surgical practices to reduce infection risk, tailored to neonatal care settings. - Recommendations: Provides detailed guidelines for antiseptic use, aseptic field management, and ongoing evaluation of infection control practices. - Training: Highlights the importance of training and monitoring healthcare workers in neonatal units. - Reference: [WHO Guidelines on Hand Hygiene in Health Care](https://lnkd.in/daGuiBBp) - Challenge: Do WHO guidelines fully capture the nuances of aseptic technique needed for neonatal procedures? Key Questions: ·Is ANTT's distinction between standard and surgical techniques truly sufficient for neonatal care, or do we need a more tailored approach? ·Are CDC guidelines stringent enough to address the unique vulnerabilities of neonates? ·Do WHO guidelines fully encompass the necessary precautions for aseptic techniques in neonatal settings? It's time to critically evaluate and potentially refine these guidelines to ensure we are providing the highest standards of care for our neonatal patients. Let’s continue to challenge the status quo and ensure the best outcomes for our neonates! 🌟 #Healthcare #InfectionControl #ANTT #CDC #WHO #NeonatalCare #PatientSafety #AsepticTechnique

Is CDC's Differential Isolation Guidance Beneficial for Nursing Homes? What's Your Take: Agree or Disagree? The CDC's recent update on isolation guidance for COVID-19 has sparked discussions and concerns, particularly in healthcare institutions like nursing homes. The new guidance stipulates that while individuals in the community who test positive for COVID-19 are no longer required to isolate, nursing home residents must continue following previous isolation protocols. This disparity in guidance could lead to confusion and reluctance among patients and their families to adhere to facility infection protocols. The CDC's decision reflects an evolving understanding of COVID-19 transmission dynamics, yet the persistence of isolation mandates for nursing home residents underscores their vulnerability to the virus. However, this differential approach may create uncertainty among healthcare providers, nursing home residents, and families, potentially compromising infection control efforts. Moreover, the disparate treatment of COVID-19 cases between community and nursing home settings may foster perceptions of inequity and neglect among nursing home residents and their families. The continued imposition of isolation mandates could be seen as stigmatizing, exacerbating feelings of isolation and distress. The divergence in isolation guidelines may also contribute to reluctance among patients and families to comply with facility infection protocols. Inconsistencies in guidance across healthcare settings may undermine trust and increase the risk of outbreaks among nursing home residents and staff. To address these challenges, healthcare institutions must provide clear and consistent communication regarding infection control protocols and the rationale behind differential isolation guidelines. Fostering open dialogue and collaboration between healthcare providers, nursing home residents, and families is essential to ensuring understanding and compliance. By prioritizing transparency, empathy, and inclusivity, healthcare institutions can mitigate confusion and reluctance and effectively safeguard the health and well-being of nursing home residents and staff in the face of evolving COVID-19 guidance.

Medical gas systems are crucial components of hospital infrastructure for several reasons: 1. **Patient Care**: Medical gas systems provide essential gases like oxygen, nitrous oxide, and medical air necessary for patient care during surgeries, emergencies, and various medical procedures. These gases are vital for sustaining life, managing pain, and aiding in anesthesia. 2. **Safety**: Medical gas systems are designed with safety in mind, ensuring that gases are delivered at the correct pressures and concentrations to patients and medical equipment. Proper installation, maintenance, and monitoring of these systems are essential to prevent accidents such as leaks, contamination, or incorrect administration of gases. 3. **Infection Control**: Medical gas systems play a crucial role in infection control by providing gases for sterilization processes in hospital settings. For example, steam generated from medical-grade compressed air is often used in autoclaves to sterilize medical equipment and surgical instruments, helping to prevent the spread of infections. 4. **Emergency Preparedness**: In times of crisis, such as natural disasters or public health emergencies, medical gas systems are indispensable for providing life-saving support to patients. Hospitals must have reliable medical gas systems to ensure continuity of care and response to emergencies. 5. **Regulatory Compliance**: Hospitals must adhere to strict regulations and standards regarding the installation, operation, and maintenance of medical gas systems. Compliance with these regulations ensures the safety of patients, healthcare workers, and visitors, as well as the quality and reliability of medical gas supply. 6. **Support for Medical Equipment**: Many medical devices and equipment, such as ventilators, anesthesia machines, and respiratory therapy devices, rely on medical gases for their operation. A reliable medical gas system is essential for ensuring the proper functioning of these critical devices. 7. **Comfort and Well-being**: Medical gases like oxygen play a crucial role in improving patients' comfort and well-being, especially for those with respiratory conditions or undergoing surgical procedures. Access to medical gases when needed contributes to patients' overall satisfaction with their healthcare experience. Overall, the medical gas system is an integral part of hospital infrastructure, providing essential support for patient care, safety, infection control, emergency preparedness, regulatory compliance, and the proper functioning of medical equipment.

DENTAL PRACTICE OWNERS AND ANYONE INVOLVE IN INFECTION CONTROL FOR DENTAL AND MEDICAL PRACTICES.......... Lets start putting everything into perspective! Outside of the NCA ISO information, lets just forget everything you have been taught about infection control and start from scratch. Most practices in which we setup for infection control do not have any knowledge of how everything works and how to utilise scientific references. So we will wipe the slate clean and begin at the beginning with new posts of information as much as possible. This information is NOT our opinion! It is taken directly from the International/European/British, DIN (German) and ASNZ scientific standards, the textbooks of what works and what doesn't work. Shall we begin? LESSON ONE: Standards 1. Your dental standard in ASNZ is ASNZ 4815:2006 2. Inside this ASNZ standard are reference standards (ISO/EN/BSI/DIN/ASNZ) 3. These provide you with the science of all infection control in your practice 4. Standards are NOT mandatory in private dental or medical practices. There are merely the scientific methods that have been internationally accepted to work when applied in practice 5. Your practice is a private practice and is not subject to mandatory compliance with Scientific Standards 6. Scientific standards overrule ALL national guidelines for methods applied into practice 7. To fully understand scientific standards there must be an abundance of biochemistry and mathematical knowledge on hand, therefore biochemists and mathematicians should be sitting on the committees who interpret the standards to write guidelines 8. Anyone who walks into your practice and quotes anything other than scientific standards whilst educating you should not be taken seriously Also remember that as of today there are ZERO changes in dentistry when it comes to requirements for infection control for dental and medical practices. Protect Your Practice!

🌐 𝐒𝐞𝐜𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐏𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐭: 𝐃𝐢𝐬𝐩𝐨𝐬𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐂𝐚𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐇𝐨𝐥𝐝𝐞𝐫 𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐤𝐞𝐭 𝐈𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 🩹💡 𝐂𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐤 𝐇𝐞𝐫𝐞, 𝐓𝐨 𝐆𝐞𝐭 𝐅𝐫𝐞𝐞 𝐒𝐚𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐞 𝐑𝐞𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭 https://lnkd.in/gMRy8p7x The Disposable Catheter Holder market is a crucial component in the realm of healthcare, contributing to patient comfort and safety during catheterization procedures. Let's explore the trends and dynamics shaping this essential segment. 🔍 𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐤𝐞𝐭 𝐋𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐬𝐜𝐚𝐩𝐞: 1️⃣ Patient-Centric Approach: Disposable Catheter Holders play a vital role in ensuring the stability and secure placement of catheters, enhancing patient comfort and preventing complications during various medical procedures. 2️⃣ Infection Prevention: As infection control remains a top priority in healthcare, the disposable nature of these holders helps reduce the risk of catheter-associated infections, contributing to better patient outcomes. 3️⃣ User-Friendly Design: Manufacturers are focusing on creating user-friendly designs that simplify the catheterization process for healthcare professionals, ensuring efficient and safe application in diverse clinical settings. 🚀 𝐊𝐞𝐲 𝐓𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐬: 🌐 Adoption of Antimicrobial Materials: The market is witnessing a trend towards the use of catheter holders made from antimicrobial materials, contributing to infection prevention and improved patient care. 💡 Integration with Catheterization Kits: Catheter holders are increasingly being integrated into catheterization kits, providing a comprehensive solution for healthcare providers and promoting standardization in medical procedures. 🌍 Focus on Pediatric Applications: With a growing emphasis on pediatric care, there is a trend towards designing catheter holders specifically tailored for the unique needs and sizes of pediatric patients. 𝐁𝐲 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐧𝐲 BD B. Braun Group 3M Baxter ICU Medical Convatec Merit Medical Systems, Inc. Owens & Minor Enovis Dale Medical Products, Inc. Integra LifeSciences Medline Industries, LP Chuangqi Medical Shandong Sukang Shandong Shengna Jiangsu Shengnakaier Qingdao Bright Moon Biology Jiangsu Sagrier #Type • Drainage Tube Stabilization Device • Epidural Catheter Stabilization Device • End-type Catheter Stabilization Device • Central Venous Catheter Stabilization Device • Arterial Catheter Stabilization Device • other #Application • Hospitals • Emergency Clinics • Home Healthcare Providers • Other #follow Stringent Datalytics - Healthcare #CatheterHolder,#MedicalDevices,#HealthcareMarket,#MarketResearch,#HealthTech,#MarketAnalysis,#HealthcareTrends,#GlobalHealth,#InnovationsInHealthcare,#HealthTechReport,#DisposableDevices,#PatientCare,#MedicalSupplies,#MedicalInnovation,#CatheterStabilization

Certainly! The role of a surgical medical nurse is vital in ensuring comprehensive patient care across various domains. Achievements in preoperative patient assessment, patient education, medication administration, patient satisfaction scores, adherence to surgical protocols, infection control rates, and effective communication with the healthcare team demonstrate a commitment to excellence in surgical nursing practice. 1. Preoperative Patient Assessment By demonstrating a comprehensive and meticulous approach to preoperative patient assessment, the surgical medical nurse ensures that patients are optimally prepared for surgical procedures, thereby contributing to improved surgical outcomes and patient safety. 2. Patient Education Through effective patient education initiatives, the surgical medical nurse empowers patients with the knowledge necessary for their own care, fostering a sense of partnership in the healing process and contributing to better postoperative recovery and reduced readmission rates. 3. Medication Administration By demonstrating precision and attentiveness in medication administration, the surgical medical nurse plays a crucial role in ensuring the safety and comfort of patients, contributing to improved postoperative recovery and minimizing complications. 4. Patient Satisfaction Scores Achieving high patient satisfaction scores reflects the nurse's ability to provide empathetic and personalized care, creating a positive patient experience and promoting trust in the healthcare system. 5. Adherence to Surgical Protocols Consistent adherence to surgical protocols demonstrates the nurse's commitment to upholding the highest standards of patient safety and care during surgical procedures, contributing to optimal surgical outcomes and patient well-being. 6. Infection Control Rates Effective infection control measures demonstrate the nurse's dedication to preventing postoperative infections, thus directly contributing to improved patient safety and recovery. 7. Effective Communication with the Healthcare Team: Strong communication within the healthcare team ensures seamless coordination and delivery of care, promoting a collaborative environment that ultimately benefits patient outcomes and overall quality of care. This represent a commitment to best practices in surgical nursing, indicating a nurse's dedication to delivering high-quality, patient-centered care while upholding the highest standards of safety and professionalism in a diverse and dynamic healthcare landscape.

Innovation from the Ground Up: The Journey of Tournistrip in Infection Control Introduction: Embark on a journey with us as we unravel the story behind Tournistrip, a revolutionary tourniquet born out of the minds of two medical students with a passion for creating a device that could combat hospital infections. At ASep Healthcare Ltd, our commitment to infection control has been ingrained in Tournistrip's DNA from its very inception. Origins: Tournistrip wasn't conceived in a corporate boardroom; it was born in the minds of two medical students driven by a desire to reduce hospital infections. The original studies conducted by our founders Ryan Kerstein and Christian Fellowes revealed a startling truth – over 60% of reusable tourniquets harboured Staphylococcus aureus, and 10% of these were contaminated with MRSA. This revelation propelled the creation of a solution focused on infection control, and Tournistrip was born. Infection Control Focus: From day one, infection control has been at the forefront of our mission. Tournistrip was accredited by #ANTT (Aseptic Non-Touch Technique) as an approved device for aseptic procedures. This recognition reinforced our commitment to providing a tool that not only meets medical standards but exceeds them. Evolution with Tournistretch: Now, with the introduction of Tournistretch, we continue our relentless pursuit of infection control. Tournistretch, designed to be fully cleanable, eliminates the challenges posed by hidden or enclosed areas in other tourniquets. We understand that infection control is not a one-time achievement; it's an ongoing commitment that evolves with advancements in medical technology. Single Patient Use Campaign: Our commitment to infection control is further solidified with the launch of our new single-patient-use campaign. Recognizing the evolving landscape of healthcare, we understand the need for solutions that prioritize patient safety and cleanliness. Tournistretch, as part of this campaign, stands out as one of the only tourniquets with no hard-to-clean areas, ensuring a completely clean device for each patient. Conclusion: Tournistrip's journey is a testament to the power of innovation driven by a commitment to infection control. From its humble origins with two medical students to the accredited device for aseptic procedures used throughout the globe and the latest addition of Tournistretch, we remain dedicated to providing solutions that redefine infection control standards in healthcare. Join us in the pursuit of cleaner, safer healthcare. Tournistrip and Tournistretch – where innovation meets infection control. #madeinUK #Innovation #InfectionControl #Tournistrip #Tournistretch #ASepHealthcare #greenernhs #GreenerAndCleaner

Central Sterile Services Department (CSSD) is responsible for the cleaning, sterilization, and storage of surgical instruments, ensuring that they are free from pathogens and contaminants ensuring patient safety during surgical and medical procedures. CSSD plays a pivotal role in smooth functioning of clinical operations by providing timely access to sterile supplies, preventing shortages, minimizing delays in surgeries and other medical procedures, and ultimately leading to a higher level of patient care. The placement of CSSD within a hospital infrastructure can significantly influence its effectiveness. Two common placement options are: away from Operating Rooms (OR’s) or placing it in close proximity to OR's.   Placing CSSD away from OR’s can effectively reduce infection risks. Noise reduction for ensuring a quieter environment is another benefit, as sterilization equipment can be noisy. Other areas often offer ample space, particularly advantageous for larger hospitals with substantial sterilization needs. Additionally, the evacuation plans (due to possible threat of ETO) can be better if it is located away from OR’s.    However, there are challenges like Transportation of sterilized instruments, equipment, and supplies to surgical units, potentially leading to delays and increased risks of errors if not managed efficiently. Staff may face difficulties moving heavy equipment and supplies up and down stairwells or elevators, slowing down the process and potentially leading to inefficiencies. Space limitations in other areas, such as restricted ceiling heights, can impact the installation of large sterilization equipment or storage racks. In the event of an emergency or evacuation, accessing some areas inside the hospital may be challenging, potentially affecting the quick availability of sterile supplies in critical situations.   On the other hand, placing CSSD in close proximity to OR’s offers its own set of advantages. It leads to a more efficient workflow, ensuring quick access to sterile supplies, reducing surgery delays, and enhancing patient care. Real-time communication between CSSD staff and surgical teams is facilitated, enabling immediate updates on instrument availability, and reducing delays. Proper placement near surgical units reduces the need for duplicate CSSD units, contributing to cost efficiency.   However, placing CSSD near OR’s necessitates strict infection control measures to prevent contamination in surgical areas. Additionally, sterilization equipment's noise can disrupt clinical areas. Space constraints near OR’s can also pose challenges.   Hospitals should prioritize the best outcome for patient safety and staff efficiency after careful evaluation of the hospital's unique layout, size, and workflow. Many hospitals opt for a compromise that balances infection control and efficient workflows, such as placing the CSSD on the same floor as the OR’s but in a dedicated, controlled environment. Any thoughts?

Ever wonder about ultrasound gel? What are the best practices for using single-use packets, sterile gel packets vs. multidose bottles? Do ultrasound gel warmers pose unnecessary risk? Check out our latest blog. POCUS safety and excellency are our priority! Please repost if you think this information would be beneficial to your colleagues. #lovepocus #pocusexcellency #infectioncontrol #pocus #ultrasound #ultrasoundgel #patientcare #pocuschampion #donoharm

This article is an excellent contribution authored by an infection preventionist (IP) with a background outside of nursing. The role of infection preventionists (IPs) is still emerging, necessitating a period of adaptation for healthcare leaders to accommodate the diverse expertise required for an effective infection prevention program. Registered nurses (RNs) pursuing proficiency in infection prevention must depend on curricula developed by environmental services (EVS) experts, epidemiologists, and microbiologists. In my professional capacity, I have confidentially advised several RN IPs on complex disinfection-related issues. Furthermore, it is imperative for emerging IPs, those without nursing backgrounds, to assert their presence and contribute to the field by publishing robust opinions and empirical research findings. There is promising progress with the 2025 Joint Commission standards, which emphasize the qualifications for infection prevention. These standards can be met through relevant experience, specialized training, certification, or a demonstrated history of leadership competence. The Joint Commission standards provide hospitals with justified flexibility in selecting the appropriate individual for the role without mandating a nursing background.