Upgrading Your Sluice Room Equipment
Between 5% and 10% of patients admitted to modern hospitals in the developed world acquire one or more infections [1].
In developing countries, however, the risk of contracting a healthcare acquired infection (HCAI) is from two to 20 times higher – and the proportion of patients affected can exceed 25%.
Although the developed world is often able to keep patients safer than their developing counterparts, there is still room for improvement. In England alone, more than 100,000 cases of healthcare associated infections lead to over 5,000 deaths directly attributed to infection each year.
Medical technology is constantly evolving.
A significant reason why the developed world is able to better combat the threat of infection is, of course, due to their relative wealth and the ability to invest in emergent technology. As infection control innovation accelerates, the rate of infection can decrease with its use.
In order to keep challenging HCAI risk, we must recognise that outdated equipment will not provide the level of protection that a more modern solution can. Although extra expenditure is rarely welcomed, investing in capital equipment is likely to result in a reduced cost of controlling infection outbreaks – as well as keeping reputations intact and preventing unnecessary stress, sickness and even death.
Take a look at our video below for the top 5 sluice room innovations.
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Bedpan hygiene has advanced significantly over time.
When it comes to disposing of human waste, both bedpan washer disinfectors and pulp macerators utilise advanced technology to ensure that hospitals, care homes and other facilities can benefit from the most effective infection control.
These features include:
- Hands-free optical sensors which prevent the need to touch a machine in order to open or close it, or to press any buttons to start its cycle
- Antimicrobial surfaces to prevent harmful bacteria from growing on the machine
- Control panels to verify that the correct temperature for disinfection is reached
- Improved design of macerator blades to effectively pulverise waste and prevent blockages.
However, technology continues to evolve.
DDC Dolphin are proud to introduce the new MicrobeSafe+ antimicrobial surface.
Showcasing enhancements to the previous MicrobeSafe antimicrobial surface, MicrobeSafe+ will feature on DDC Dolphin pulp macerators and washer disinfectors from the 1st of September 2019.
Addressing the prominent issue of growing E. coli infection rates – the UK saw a 5% rise in reported cases between 2016 and 2017[2] – the MicrobeSafe+ surface is now tried and tested against E. coli bacteria, damaging or destroying the microbes on contact.
In addition to proven defence against an increased number of pathogens, the latest antimicrobial surface now contains a fungicide to combat mould, as well as eight years of unwavering antimicrobial performance – compared to five years on the previous incarnation.
How does MicrobeSafe+ work?
MicrobeSafe+ is a silver (Ag) based antimicrobial additive, mixed with a powerful antifungal accompaniment.
When a microbe lands on a surface which is impregnated with MicrobeSafe+, the microbe is destroyed or damaged, rendering it unable to reproduce. Its use can therefore reduce the spread of HCAIs by eliminating cross-contamination routes. This is particularly effective in the sluice room environment, where both clean and dirty items are handled.
The antifungal additive in MicrobeSafe+ also allows surfaces to restrict the build-up of biofilms, as well as unsightly mould growth.
The result? Reliable inhibition and elimination of the number of bacteria within the medical environment, allowing you to ensure more effective protection against the spread of infection.
Keen to find out more? Discover how our sluice room solutions could improve your infection control procedures.
[2] Laboratory surveillance of E. coli bacteraemia in England, Wales and Northern Ireland: 2017 Health Protection Report Volume 12 Number 22
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