Disinfection
- Thread starter Wes Reed
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NPO
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We use a similar product, the EvergreenUV EDU-435. We have one in our mechanic shop that he puts in there when they come in for PMs and stay overnight, and a second that is kept at Station 1 for rotation through our stations.
Crews can request them anytime we have a patient that might necessitate it. We also use it in stations when an employee goes home sick.
It makes it smell like something is burning, but I suppose that's the burning of the microorganisms.
Crews can request them anytime we have a patient that might necessitate it. We also use it in stations when an employee goes home sick.
It makes it smell like something is burning, but I suppose that's the burning of the microorganisms.
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In hospital we use UV systems (eg Evergreen) and they can be very useful on a terminal clean of an iso room. Three problems:
1. They are SUPPLEMENTAL disinfection tools meant to work on tough MDRO pathogens that are disinfectant resistant (e.g. cdifficile d/t its spore time needs certain disinfectants with sufficient wet times) and won't work against visible soil or deeply light shielded areas. A good and proper cleaning is needed! If not, it won't do its job in those areas any better than a sterilizer will on a surgical tool clogged with bioburden.
2. EXPENSIVE
3. The evidence that they reduce HAIs or save money is... low quality and conflicting
Ozone units like Ozilla seem like an interesting idea for an ambulance. In hospital we can use them in some lab equipment or pharmacy rooms (IV prep / compounding) where you have glove boxes and sealed areas. I don't know how much they cost, but rule #1 above still definitely applies... it is a SUPPLEMENTAL cleaning tool that only works if a great job of cleaning is done beforehand.
So let me ask you this: is there a HAI concern or a tough organism problem you've been dealing with on your service? Or are people just not doing a good job with disinfection? Do you have a base hospital with an Infection Preventionist whom you can consult with?
1. They are SUPPLEMENTAL disinfection tools meant to work on tough MDRO pathogens that are disinfectant resistant (e.g. cdifficile d/t its spore time needs certain disinfectants with sufficient wet times) and won't work against visible soil or deeply light shielded areas. A good and proper cleaning is needed! If not, it won't do its job in those areas any better than a sterilizer will on a surgical tool clogged with bioburden.
2. EXPENSIVE
3. The evidence that they reduce HAIs or save money is... low quality and conflicting
Ozone units like Ozilla seem like an interesting idea for an ambulance. In hospital we can use them in some lab equipment or pharmacy rooms (IV prep / compounding) where you have glove boxes and sealed areas. I don't know how much they cost, but rule #1 above still definitely applies... it is a SUPPLEMENTAL cleaning tool that only works if a great job of cleaning is done beforehand.
So let me ask you this: is there a HAI concern or a tough organism problem you've been dealing with on your service? Or are people just not doing a good job with disinfection? Do you have a base hospital with an Infection Preventionist whom you can consult with?
We have not seen any problems with current disinfection procedures we were looking at this to supplement. Take the next extra step to get into places that might be missed or difficult to get to. The Ozilla seemed appealing because it would seem to reach all areas of the ambulance. We do not have a base hospital, we work closely with several and asking their opinion might be helpful, thanks.
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Infection prevention is a laudable goal. Getting deep with an ozone unit is a neat idea.
I'll say this: in the absence of an apparent problem due to insufficient deep cleaning, the number one intervention for improving infection prevention is hand hygiene. Hand hygiene is not sexy or high tech, but it is statistically where we as healthcare providers fail the most. The data say hand hygiene failure is where we hurt ourselves and our patients the most. It is also where we can make the largest impact.
Having 2-3 sanitizing gel dispensers in the ambulance (and keeping them supplied) is a great way to do this. It makes it so that a seat-belted medic can reach one without getting up no matter where in the front or back they are sitting... that is far more likely to protect the provider and the patient, whether you are doing patient care or eating "lunch" at 2AM posted up on a street corner.