Healthcare-related infections: an avoidable risk

HAIs (Healthcare Associated Infections) are, by definition, diseases which affect patients inside hospitals and are not present or incubating at the time of admission. HAIs could appear after discharge and besides patients, they often afflict employees in the hospital staff, too.
The issue: Healthcare Associated Infections
“ No one should get sick seeking care. Yet, globally, hundreds of millions of people are affected every year by health care-associated infections (HAIs), many of which are completely avoidable and a large proportion are caused by antibiotic resistant organisms. No country or health system, even the most developed or sophisticated, can claim to be free of HAIs.”
1 person every 25 admissions contracts HAI, this involves : 
 increasing mortality and increasing costs

Healthcare Associated Infections

• Approximately 30% of patients in ICUs are affected by at least one episode of health care-associated infection.
• Newborns are also at higher risk, especially in low income areas. Among hospital-born babies in developing countries, HAIs are responsible for 4% to 56% of all causes of death in the neonatal period.

Prevention, prevention, prevention There is no solution that will, by itself, solve the problem.
Protocols and best practices have been established by the CDC (U.S.A.), the World Health Organization, and many others.
Sterilization, disinfection and cleaning represent pillars of prevention actions that must be done every day inside every hospital and clinic. 
Effective infection prevention and control reduces health care- associated infections by at least 30%.
Although significant progress has been made in preventing some HAIs types, there is much more work to be done.

UltraViolet Technology is a great opportunity to exploit

• UV–C lights penetrates inside bacteria, spores, fungi, molds, mites, and viruses.
• UV–C high energy is absorbed at RNA and DNA level, damaging nucleic acids avoiding cellular growth & proliferation.
• UV–C ‘s action is effective within seconds of irradiation
• UV–C disinfects at 99,9% any surface, water and air.

 
UVGI technology is a physic disinfection method with a great costs/benefits ratio, it’s ecological, and, unlike chemicals, it eliminates every microorganisms, also multidrug-resistant (MDR) pathogens. UVGI is a science-proved technology. Research is still ongoing, but there is much evidence on the efficacy of UVGI and the proper way to use it, though its application has yet to fully mature.
  
How could we apply UV technology to prevent HAIs in medical environments?
What is one of the most contaminated surface inside any hospital? Hands.
For this reason there are so many campaigns to educate people to wash their hands…clean hands can save lives!
So, what is comparable to hands? What is the most common used tool in any hospital?

Stethoscope contamination
Stethoscope is the most widely used instruments in any medical environment.
It is used in rich countries, in poor countries, in private clinics, in field hospitals.
It is used by doctors, nurses and any other health professional.

• Stethoscopes carry several different pathogens and they are usually never clean.
• Doctors are focused on making diagnose and treat patients.
• There is often rush between one visit and the other.
• Common cleaning includes the use of disposable chemicals and the creation of special wastes.

 How could we apply UV technology to STETHOSCOPES?
 
The most innovative source of ultraviolet rays are UV-C LEDs.
These microscopic UV light sources are able to achieve same results as standard UV lamps while offering revolutionary features in terms of portability, power and applicability.
Since their recent implementation it has been possible to design new products for the sanitation of water and surfaces that cannot even be imagined just until a few years ago.

STET CLEAN is “Wearable Disinfection”

• Portable Version: designed to follow your stethoscope everywhere you go.
• Double control system – optical sensor and mechanical – for use in operational safety conditions
• Microprocessor for irradiation and security controls
• Special polycarbonate body
• Light weight (100 grams) and pocket sized (limited footprint), like a common smartphone
• Fits with the most common stethoscope size (around 46 / 47 cm diameter, i.e. Littman Classic II)

STET CUBE is “Disinfection on your desk”

• Desk Version: designed for “sharing”. It fits in hospital cart, desk, etc.
• With the optional supplied you can easily mount it on a wall
• Double control system – infrared sensor and mechanical switch as you close the cover
• Microprocessor for irradiation and security controls
• Special shiny polycarbonate body
• Compatible with every stethoscope type and dimension (pediatric, neonatal, cardiological...)

For more information see: http://www.stetclean.com/en