Every year, more than 5.8 million people are affected by healthcare associated infections (HAIs) in Europe and the US . These infections do not only affect patients. Visitors as well as healthcare professionals and their families are also at risk of contracting infections, if protective wear is not used or used correctly.
Protective wear - what and how?
Protective wear can be defined as all types of protective equipment used in healthcare; from gloves and masks to shoe covers, aprons, and scrub suits. Common to these are their ability to protect against cross-contamination.
One of the daily challenges met by healthcare professional is how and when to use the right types protective wear. Do you wear a medical mask for norovirus? Do you use an apron, or is an isolation gown better? The right answers to these questions are no simple matter and depend on the task at hand as well as local hygiene guidelines.
In addition, you must pay attention to the way protective equipment is put on and taken off. Correct and effective disposal after use is crucial for your own safety and to prevent cross-contamination. Especially undressing from protective wear demands extra attention.
Single-use vs. washable?
Protective wear can be divided into two categories: single-use and washable. Both have advantages in healthcare, however, when it comes to hygiene and infection prevention, single-use is the preferred choice.
There are several reasons why single-use should be your number one choice:
- Single-use products based on nonwoven material often outperform textile-based products in both comfort, barrier properties and resistance to contamination.
- Studies show that infection rates drop when washable cotton clothes are replaced with single-use.
- Traditional cotton clothes are not changed between consultations, and can carry a large mix of microbes at the end of the day. Some of these are extremely resistant, such as clostridium difficile that can survive for up to a year if the clothing is not washed properly.
Protective equipment for infection prevention
Whether a patient is admitted in the hospital, is a resident at a nursing home or otherwise in contact with the healthcare system, it is of great importance that the surrounding environment is safe and hygienic. This can be ensured through correct use of protective equipment.
Gowns, aprons, and shoe covers
Gowns and aprons are suitable in many situations, both in daily care and in situations that involve direct contact with mucous membranes, body fluids, non-intact skin and as protection against liquids and splashes. For instance used for incontinence care and wound care.
Shoe covers are commonly used in hospitals, but also essential to not transmit microbes from room to room in healthcare institutions – for instance during an outbreak, or in situations where the floor is contaminated with body fluids.
Face masks
One of the many ways to protect yourself and others against infections is to use a face mask. Face masks are either categorised as medical face masks, respiratory face masks or combined medical and respiratory masks.
Medical face masks are used to protect patients from transmittable microbes from the healthcare professional’s nose and mouth, as well as it can protect the wearer from potentially contaminated liquids in specific situations. The medical face mask can also be worn by patients to reduce spread of infections, for instance during outbreaks. On the other hand, respiratory masks protect the wearer from both solid and liquid particles.
New combined medical and respiratory masks are useful in healthcare environments where both patients and healthcare professionals need to be protected.
In order to choose the right type of mask for optimal protection, always consult your national hygiene guidelines.
Bed linen, blankets, and duvets
Single-use bed linen, blankets, and duvets are used to obtain clean and safe patient care. The products have the same abilities as traditional washable products and can be used in many different situations; pre, during and post operations or examinations, or in situations where patients simply need to be kept warm and comfortable.
The products are comfortable for the patient and can easily be discarded after use, which contributes to maintaining a clean and hygienic environment and help reduce the risk of infections and cross-contamination.
NEW innovative scrub suits
ABENA has introduced a new range of single-use scrub suits, SoftComfort, that represent a unique opportunity to raise the hygiene standards and reduce the risk of healthcare-associated infections.
The scrub suits are made from a special type of material with a textile-like feel due to the special 3D embossment, which makes the clothes incredibly soft, breathable and comfortable to wear. The scrub suits are tested according to the clean air suits requirements under standard EN13795 and can be used in high-hygienic areas, such as the OR. The scrub suits have a high level of resistance to microbial penetration and a low level of linting (particle release).
With these new SoftComfort Scrub Suits, healthcare professionals are able to wear a comfortable, fresh and clean set of clothes every day.
Besides contributing to infection prevention and cross-contamination, SoftComfort scrub suits can help reduce washing and distribution costs in hospitals and healthcare institutions.