Airflows fight hospital infections
Hospital infections are immensely dangerous. Toul Meditech has therefore developed a new mobile laminar airflow system which can be used in every operating room in addition to the existing ventilation system.
Disinfection
Wound dressing fights the super bug
In any hospital, one of the most dreaded enemies is MRSA. This super-resistant pathogen laughs in the face of most antibiotics. But now, medical and hygiene product manufacturer Lohmann & Rauscher may have developed an efficient weapon to fight this ugly beast: a wound dressing that contains polyhexamethylene biguanide (PHMB).
Legionella
UNIQA, Austria's leading health insurer* recently initiated a preventive inspection of the technical water lines and systems at around 40 of the hospitals it insures, to identify any possible contamination by Legionella bacterium. Following the inspections many of the hospitals opted to undergo TÜV certification. Their motivation is not only medical concern, but also economic and legal issues.
A survey in the NHS shows lack in infection control standards
The NHS is still suffering from wide variations in infection control standards, according to a survey of health staff in the UK. The study carried out by the watchdog body the Healthcare Commission, after questioning more than 155,000 NHS staff, indicated that there had been improvements in infection control in several areas.
Even non-touch taps can harbour dangerous pathogens
USA - Urging public health and infection control officers to be proactive against Legionella and other waterborne microbes that contribute to soaring hospital infection rates everywhere, international Legionella expert Janet Stout PhD* warned.
Vaccination may combat Clostridium difficile
UK - Whilst the life-threatening Clostridium difficile is not absolutely resistant to antibiotics, after an individual has been infected the bacteria often reappears.
“Clean hands” to reduce nosocomial infections
The project “Clean Hands” is Germany's contribution to the WHO initiative “Clean care is safe care”. “Clean Hands” aims at improving hand hygiene in German hospitals in order to significantly reduce nosocomial infections.
A reprocessor for ENT endoscopes
In bronchoscopy and gastroenterology, reprocessors are commonly used to provide a quick availability of endoscopes. However, ENT departments do not dispose of dedicated material, according to the French company Soluscope Group, which manufactures endoscope reprocessors and the detergents used to wash and disinfect them.
Touchless hand disinfection
The Japanese hygiene products specialist SARAYA has been in business for half a century. Today, its products are still at the cutting edge.
Safer hygiene with silver-based products
UK - Results from a National Health Service (NHS) trial, which investigated the effectiveness of silver at reducing levels of bacteria in an actual hospital setting, have been announced by BioCote Ltd, manufacturer of antimicrobial products.
Benchtop ultrasonic cleaning
UK - A new range of benchtop ultrasonic cleaners are being launched at MEDICA by manufacturer Ultrawave.
Meeting legal requirements
During modernisation previously installed machines in contaminated hospital sluice rooms must comply with the same Medical Devices Act requirements as new machines, the specialist firm Meiko Maschinenbau GmbH & Co points out.
Devices dedicated to efficient hand washing
The 134-bed private hospital Dr R Schindlbeck private hospital in Herrsching am Ammersee, Bavaria, which also has a large out-patient department, provides 110 units for use after hand washing by staff, patients and visitors. From the Katrin range by Metsä Tissue, Finnish producer of paper towels and dispensing systems, they consist of paper towel rolls and dispensers.
See saw blades on the Web
Komet Medical has developed rotating and oscillating instruments since 1923.
Norovirus epidemic in Germany
Fortunately, the influenza virus has not swapped over to Germany yet because the country has enough to do with the norovirus which is expected to attack up to one million people during the next weeks. People affected by the virus suffer from strong nausea and diarrhoea that last at least two days.
Simplifying precise urinalysis
Sysmex urine fluorescence flow cytometers offer a wide variety of clinical benefits to the user, including determination of WBC, bacteria and yeasts to exclude urinary tract infections and/or inflammations very quickly.
High-tech engineering ensures instrument decontamination
The new single door PG 8527 and two door PG 8528 large-cabinet decontamination units for instrument reprocessing (on sale from March 2007) adapt easily to changing workloads in hospital CSSD units and a variety of other needs, their manufacturer Miele reports. Both units use either the firm's new OxiVario or OrthoVario disinfection programmes.
Advancing world hygiene standards
TopLine, the new range of bedpan washers/disinfectors from Meiko set new standards.
Phenomenal success for bedpans
Currently, the only bedpan cleaners with a totally sealed wash-chamber are the TopLine appliances made by Meiko.
Water purifiers for renal care network
One of the largest renal programms startet at Leicester General Hospital, part of the University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust.
Bacteria die on stainless steel
To establish which materials allow pathogens to survived best, micro-organisms such as bacteria living in wet and dry environments, pathogenic fungi and the bacterium Escherichia coli, have been studied during comparative tests undertaken at the Hygiene Institute of the University of Leipzig.
Resistance to silver-containing wound dressings
Is a sharp weapon being blunted? Article by Heidi Heinhold.
Touch-less sensor dispenser
The Japanese firm Saraya, which for 50 years has successfully manufactured hygiene products and programmes for healthcare, facility management and the food industry, has launched a touch-less hand disinfection unit in Europe. According to Mr ter Woort, General Manager, Saraya Europe, the company has already sold over 100,000 of these units in Asia & the USA.
Paper handkerchief technology
The Europe-wide research by Westminster University, England and T.Ü.V. Rhineland, Germany, has proved the advantages of hand wiping with paper rather than with textiles or warm air.
