When was the last time you observed a healthcare worker
(HCW) making notes in a patient’s chart using good old pen and paper on a
clipboard? Personally, I can’t remember
the last time I encountered this.
However, if I were to ask when was the last time that you observed a HCW
utilizing a smart phone, tablet PC or portable computer workstation at a
patient’s bedside, I’m certain most of you would indicate that this is
something much more common in today’s healthcare environment. Fact is, electronic devices such as smart
phones, tablets and portable computers have become increasingly important tools
for the delivery of healthcare services.
Not surprisingly, many of these items are subsequently at risk of
becoming contaminated and acting as a source for the transmission of
microorganisms.
For many of our readers, today is likely your first day
back from the annual CHICA-Canada conference (Canada's National Infection
Prevention and Control Association).
The speaker line up and breadth of topics was impressive. Opening the conference was Dr. Martin Wale
from Vancouver, BC with in inspiring talk on "Thinking Differently About
IPAC: A More Strategic Approach".
The closing session was given by Sir Liam Donaldson from the United
Kingdom talking about "Global Patient Safety".
If, like me you were able to take some time off over the
holidays you are likely trying to slowly edge yourself back into the work
routine.I suppose it’s the one upside
of having a young child, they don’t understand that you are supposed to sleep
in during vacation so unlike some of you at least I am not trying to get back
into the grove of getting up before 7 am!
Biosecurity can have different connotations depending on
who you are speaking with, but for the purpose of this blog, it means to
protect the animal, human and environmental health against the threat of
pathogenic microorganisms. From this definition it is important to highlight
the fact that the three pillars upon which a biosecurity program should be
built are the animal, the environment and the human. Taking into account the “animal factor” is a
key consideration in developing a biosecurity program because diseases can spread
from animal to animal, from animal to humans (zoonosis) and, although less
frequently, from humans to animals.
It’s not a
wonder why we choose to combine limes with drinks, and lemons with fish or
vinegar with fries. It’s all about that strong distinct flavor combined with
the tastes of many of our favorite indulgences. The thing common about these
additives is that, well they taste awesome, but also that they are all organic
acids, a certain category of disinfectant. Acids are typically sorted into two
groups: Inorganic acids and organic acids. Inorganic acids are typically known
as ‘harsh’ acids and lack a –COOH functional group in its chemical structure.
Organic acids are known as ‘carbonic’ acids which contain a –COOH functional group. When you think “acid”
you may revert back to the searing, corrosive substances we see in movies that
burn through everything. However, the strength of an acid, and its disinfection
characteristics, is largely proportionate to the concentration in which it is
encountered. Recently, organic acids have become a newer phenomenon in general
hard surface disinfection due to their trendy attributes. However, certain
characteristics of organic acids can diminish their disinfection grade point
average.
© 2003-2022 VIROX TECHNOLOGIES INC
Virox® Animal Health is a division of Virox® Technologies Inc.
Website by BOLD
AHP® and Design and Accelerated Hydrogen Peroxide® and Design are trademarks of Diversey, Inc.