http://www.rxforpa.com/
Pennsylvania's surgery centers and hospitals are on the hook for improving their infection control protocols and will receive financial incentives to do so, thanks to a healthcare reform bill signed into law by Gov. Ed Rendell on July 20.
Under the plan, Pennsylvania's Department of Health must establish best practices for eliminating healthcare-acquired infections and reducing medical errors based on nationally recognized, evidenced-based standards. All of the state's licensed healthcare facilities will be required to adopt those standards, submit a written report of their infection control plan to the department and demonstrate a reduction in healthcare-acquired infections.
e martë, 31 korrik 2007
e hënë, 30 korrik 2007
AORN council addresses extended cycle concerns
Many medical facilities are faced with the issue of extended steam sterilization cycles for their surgical instruments (a cycle time longer than the traditional 4 minutes). The Association of periOperative Registered Nurses (AORN) Sterile Processing/Materials Management Specialty Assembly Coordinating Council has released a general statement on extended Cycles:
"Each medical facility needs to make sure that all of their products used for sterilization (peel pouches, wrap, etc.) can withstand theses longer steam sterilization cycles. Each medical facility needs to make sure that the products used in extended cycles are validated for these types of cycles. Many manufactures have tested their products for these longer cycles' times. The manufacture of the products should supply information to the user for their records."
This statement comes from the AORN Sterile Processing/Materials Management Specialty Assembly Coordinating Council: Chair - Rose Seavey, RN, MBA, CNOR, ACSP; Past Chair - Dottie Conroy, RN, BSN; Communication Chair - Wanda Elwell, RN, CNOR; Education Chair - Stephen Kovach; Professional/Practice Issues Chair - Martha Young, BS, MS; AORN CNP Staff Liaison - Ramona Conner, RN, MSN, CNOR; AORN Board Liaison - Deborah Spratt, RN, MPA, CNAA, CNOR; and AORN Staff Consultant - Debbie Stephen.
http://www.aorn.org/docs_assets/55B250E0-9779-5C0D-1DDC8177C9B4C8EB/0972C9ED-F6F7-6E32-CA50251F7599DCDB/Stmnt%20on%20Extended%20Cycles.doc
"Each medical facility needs to make sure that all of their products used for sterilization (peel pouches, wrap, etc.) can withstand theses longer steam sterilization cycles. Each medical facility needs to make sure that the products used in extended cycles are validated for these types of cycles. Many manufactures have tested their products for these longer cycles' times. The manufacture of the products should supply information to the user for their records."
This statement comes from the AORN Sterile Processing/Materials Management Specialty Assembly Coordinating Council: Chair - Rose Seavey, RN, MBA, CNOR, ACSP; Past Chair - Dottie Conroy, RN, BSN; Communication Chair - Wanda Elwell, RN, CNOR; Education Chair - Stephen Kovach; Professional/Practice Issues Chair - Martha Young, BS, MS; AORN CNP Staff Liaison - Ramona Conner, RN, MSN, CNOR; AORN Board Liaison - Deborah Spratt, RN, MPA, CNAA, CNOR; and AORN Staff Consultant - Debbie Stephen.
http://www.aorn.org/docs_assets/55B250E0-9779-5C0D-1DDC8177C9B4C8EB/0972C9ED-F6F7-6E32-CA50251F7599DCDB/Stmnt%20on%20Extended%20Cycles.doc
e premte, 27 korrik 2007
Premier healthcare alliance launches comprehensive project to improve hospital quality, reduce costs
http://www.hpnonline.com/dailyupdates/July_07.html#27-6
The Premier healthcare alliance and a group of healthcare leaders launched a comprehensive project called "QUEST: High Performing Hospitals" to improve patient safety and quality in the nation's hospitals while safely reducing healthcare costs. QUEST is a three-year program through which participating hospitals will report data to Premier on a set of clearly defined performance measures encompassing aspects of quality, efficiency, safety and patient satisfaction. Premier will analyze the data, facilitate sharing of best practices, and provide incentives for top-performing hospitals.
The Premier healthcare alliance and a group of healthcare leaders launched a comprehensive project called "QUEST: High Performing Hospitals" to improve patient safety and quality in the nation's hospitals while safely reducing healthcare costs. QUEST is a three-year program through which participating hospitals will report data to Premier on a set of clearly defined performance measures encompassing aspects of quality, efficiency, safety and patient satisfaction. Premier will analyze the data, facilitate sharing of best practices, and provide incentives for top-performing hospitals.
e martë, 24 korrik 2007
MediSource introduces triple enzyme cleaner
http://www.medisourcemedical.com/JULY_2007.pdf
MediSource Inc (Albany, GA) introduced its new UltiZyme ® Triple Enzyme Cleaner. This new formulation includes increased enzyme activity, higher levels of synergistic surfactants, improved cleaning power, and pleasant fragrance. For additional information, visit www.medisourcemedical.com.
MediSource Inc (Albany, GA) introduced its new UltiZyme ® Triple Enzyme Cleaner. This new formulation includes increased enzyme activity, higher levels of synergistic surfactants, improved cleaning power, and pleasant fragrance. For additional information, visit www.medisourcemedical.com.
e enjte, 19 korrik 2007
Expert: FDA Scrutinizes Complaint-Handling Systems
http://www.fdanews.com/newsletter/article?issueId=10464&articleId=96042
The FDA is increasingly scrutinizing manufacturers’ product complaint systems and procedures, according to David Dills, senior consultant with Parexel Consulting. The FDA has been closely examining records during inspections and evaluating whether firms find root causes of complaints and appropriately close investigation files, Dills said at the recent Center for Business Intelligence 5th Annual Product Complaints for Bio/Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices conference.
Over the past year, the number of Form 483 observations for product complaints has been at an all-time high, Dills said, as agency field investigators are spending more time examining company complaint sections during inspections. The audits are focusing on documentation and reasons for closure of investigation files. In noting that excessive product complaints are sometimes a sign of product design flaws, Dills said that complaint files, and the reasons behind closing complaint investigations, need to stand up in court. He also said that it is important for firms to not prematurely jump to conclusions regarding the outcomes of investigations. They should wait until investigations are completed.
The FDA is increasingly scrutinizing manufacturers’ product complaint systems and procedures, according to David Dills, senior consultant with Parexel Consulting. The FDA has been closely examining records during inspections and evaluating whether firms find root causes of complaints and appropriately close investigation files, Dills said at the recent Center for Business Intelligence 5th Annual Product Complaints for Bio/Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices conference.
Over the past year, the number of Form 483 observations for product complaints has been at an all-time high, Dills said, as agency field investigators are spending more time examining company complaint sections during inspections. The audits are focusing on documentation and reasons for closure of investigation files. In noting that excessive product complaints are sometimes a sign of product design flaws, Dills said that complaint files, and the reasons behind closing complaint investigations, need to stand up in court. He also said that it is important for firms to not prematurely jump to conclusions regarding the outcomes of investigations. They should wait until investigations are completed.
The Solutions for Unburdening Instruments
Properly cleaning surgical instruments, that is to say returning them to the level of cleanliness and sterility required for them to be used in another surgical procedure, is a multi-step process. Simply running them through a sterilization cycle is not enough. Prior to sterilization, the instruments must be pre-treated and cleaned to remove harmful and often infectious bioburden. This bioburden (blood, mucous, proteins, fat and other residue), which adheres to use surgical instruments, not only presents the risk of cross-contamination, it can also cause serious damage to the expensive instrumentation itself. continue
e mërkurë, 18 korrik 2007
FDA Public Health Notification: Updated Information on Custom Ultrasonics, Inc., Endoscope Washer/Disinfector
On 7/16/07 the FDA issued a letter to Custom Ultrasonics stating that the firm has now complied with the requirements of the Consent Decree and is permitted to resume manufacturing the System 83 Plus Washer/Disinfector and all accessories. For more information on this topic please go to the FDA link to read their complete statement.
http://www.fda.gov/cdrh/safety/022707-ultrasonics.html
http://www.fda.gov/cdrh/safety/022707-ultrasonics.html
e premte, 13 korrik 2007
Ecolab Hand Hygiene Compliance Monitoring Program Helps Hospitals Reduce
http://biz.yahoo.com/bw/070625/20070625005652.html?.v=1
InfectionMonday June 25, 9:15 am ET
ST. PAUL, Minn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Ecolab Inc. announced today a new Hand Hygiene Monitoring Compliance Program for hospitals and healthcare facilities. The program provides a multi-intervention approach that combines effective hand hygiene products, a step-by-step implementation process, patient empowerment education and training materials, ongoing measurement, and benchmarking to increase and sustain hand hygiene compliance. According to the Centers for Disease Control, proper hand hygiene is the single most effective method for preventing healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) in hospitals, which account for an estimated 99,000 deaths annually in the United States.
InfectionMonday June 25, 9:15 am ET
ST. PAUL, Minn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Ecolab Inc. announced today a new Hand Hygiene Monitoring Compliance Program for hospitals and healthcare facilities. The program provides a multi-intervention approach that combines effective hand hygiene products, a step-by-step implementation process, patient empowerment education and training materials, ongoing measurement, and benchmarking to increase and sustain hand hygiene compliance. According to the Centers for Disease Control, proper hand hygiene is the single most effective method for preventing healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) in hospitals, which account for an estimated 99,000 deaths annually in the United States.
Innovative Hand Sanitation System Trumps Hospital Acquired Infections
http://www.ereleases.com/pr/20070710002.html
Current infection control practice is bare hand sanitation between patient visits often followed by donning medical exam gloves. However, recontamination of the gloved hand inevitably occurs when room surfaces, healthcare worker's and doctor's clothing, instruments, etc., inevitably covered by pathogens, are touched by the healthcare worker hand during a patient visit and then transferred to the patient during care. We believe that this is the primary and not to be ignored route for transmission of hospital acquired infections. Our patented device, based on ultraviolet (UV-C) exposure of the gloved hand within a small, closed volume, has been designed to allow a system of frequent, fast, and immediately available hand sanitation during patient care, interrupting the infection pathway in a way that infrequent bare hand sanitation cannot. The UV-C is blocked by the exam gloves and no UV-C leaves the device, hence the process is totally safe for the healthcare worker, doctor, and patient."
Current infection control practice is bare hand sanitation between patient visits often followed by donning medical exam gloves. However, recontamination of the gloved hand inevitably occurs when room surfaces, healthcare worker's and doctor's clothing, instruments, etc., inevitably covered by pathogens, are touched by the healthcare worker hand during a patient visit and then transferred to the patient during care. We believe that this is the primary and not to be ignored route for transmission of hospital acquired infections. Our patented device, based on ultraviolet (UV-C) exposure of the gloved hand within a small, closed volume, has been designed to allow a system of frequent, fast, and immediately available hand sanitation during patient care, interrupting the infection pathway in a way that infrequent bare hand sanitation cannot. The UV-C is blocked by the exam gloves and no UV-C leaves the device, hence the process is totally safe for the healthcare worker, doctor, and patient."
e mërkurë, 11 korrik 2007
Soil Particles Found to Boost Prion's Capacity to Infect
http://www.infectioncontroltoday.com/hotnews/77h9655179383.html
The rogue proteins that cause chronic wasting disease (CWD) exhibit a dramatic increase in their infectious nature when bound to common soil particles, according to a new study.
Writing in the journal Public Library of Science (PLoS) Pathogens, a group led by University of Wisconsin-Madison prion expert Judd Aiken reports that prions, the protein agents of a family of fatal brain disorders, bind tightly to a common soil mineral and significantly increase the oral transmissibility of the agent.
Pedersen notes that soils are a complex mixture of organic and inorganic components that vary across the landscape and that scientists are just beginning to tease out factors in soils that may contribute to transmissibility. The new study implies, he says, "that some soils may promote the transmission of the prion agent more readily than others."
The rogue proteins that cause chronic wasting disease (CWD) exhibit a dramatic increase in their infectious nature when bound to common soil particles, according to a new study.
Writing in the journal Public Library of Science (PLoS) Pathogens, a group led by University of Wisconsin-Madison prion expert Judd Aiken reports that prions, the protein agents of a family of fatal brain disorders, bind tightly to a common soil mineral and significantly increase the oral transmissibility of the agent.
Pedersen notes that soils are a complex mixture of organic and inorganic components that vary across the landscape and that scientists are just beginning to tease out factors in soils that may contribute to transmissibility. The new study implies, he says, "that some soils may promote the transmission of the prion agent more readily than others."
e martë, 10 korrik 2007
Medical sterilization systems market to reach $2.3 billion by 2010, says new report
http://www.hpnonline.com/dailyupdates/July_07.html#10-3
Sterilization methods and techniques continue to evolve towards safer, speedier, and more economic processes. Innovation in sterilization is centered on improving cycle times, reducing cost and safety concerns, and designing affordable systems for in-house use. Shaped by diverse trends, the world medical sterilization systems and equipment market is expected to reach US$2.3 billion by 2010. Steam sterilization continues to be the most important and widely used procedure. Steam sterilization market is stable due to regulatory enforcements imposed on EtO sterilization, a method fraught with higher residuals. Usage of new technologies such as E-beam and X-ray, is also set to register higher growth, widening the scope of options available for sterilization procedures.
Sterilization methods and techniques continue to evolve towards safer, speedier, and more economic processes. Innovation in sterilization is centered on improving cycle times, reducing cost and safety concerns, and designing affordable systems for in-house use. Shaped by diverse trends, the world medical sterilization systems and equipment market is expected to reach US$2.3 billion by 2010. Steam sterilization continues to be the most important and widely used procedure. Steam sterilization market is stable due to regulatory enforcements imposed on EtO sterilization, a method fraught with higher residuals. Usage of new technologies such as E-beam and X-ray, is also set to register higher growth, widening the scope of options available for sterilization procedures.
e hënë, 9 korrik 2007
Automation standards benefit pharmaceutical/medical applications
http://www.healthcare-packaging.com/newsletters/hcp-07-06-07.html
At a biomedical facility in Ireland, machine automation is coming into play in a validated environment that involves 21 CFR Part 11 electronic signatures, integrated robots and vision systems. The application is a real-world example of good automation standards providing real-world benefits.
At a biomedical facility in Ireland, machine automation is coming into play in a validated environment that involves 21 CFR Part 11 electronic signatures, integrated robots and vision systems. The application is a real-world example of good automation standards providing real-world benefits.
SPSmedical announces monthly audio seminars for healthcare facility
http://www.hpnonline.com/dailyupdates/July_07.html#6-2
SPSmedical announces monthly Audio Seminars on a variety of infection prevention and sterilization topics to health care facilities. This new educational service assists health care facilities comply with educational training and provides certified staff with CEUs. Charles Hughes, Lead Educator of SPSmedical provides a one hour CE presentation, pre-approved through both IAHCSMM and CBSPD. Each seminar allows time for Q & A at the end of the presentation. For those unable to attend the live broadcast, a recording will be available for 30 days via the internet. SPSmedical provides handouts prior to each Audio Seminar and a post seminar notification is sent including audio file, certificate of participation and evaluation form. There is no cost to each attendees; however, the health care facility is charged a small fee for each phone connection. For a complete listing of seminar objectives visit: THIS LINK.
SPSmedical announces monthly Audio Seminars on a variety of infection prevention and sterilization topics to health care facilities. This new educational service assists health care facilities comply with educational training and provides certified staff with CEUs. Charles Hughes, Lead Educator of SPSmedical provides a one hour CE presentation, pre-approved through both IAHCSMM and CBSPD. Each seminar allows time for Q & A at the end of the presentation. For those unable to attend the live broadcast, a recording will be available for 30 days via the internet. SPSmedical provides handouts prior to each Audio Seminar and a post seminar notification is sent including audio file, certificate of participation and evaluation form. There is no cost to each attendees; however, the health care facility is charged a small fee for each phone connection. For a complete listing of seminar objectives visit: THIS LINK.
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