February 3, 2012
Jorge Palacios
California Department of Public Health
(CDPH-CHCQ-HAI)
Re: “Database of Best Practices for the Prevention of Healthcare
Associated Infections(HAI)”,
Another
argument!
Dear Mr. Palacious,
As healthcare management
loses confidence in their ability to develop a culture of safety proactive
enough to prevent hospital associated infections(HAI) in our healthcare
facilities there will be a race away from incremental improvement to the innovation
camp, robots are really flashy but as General Motors found out in the 80s,
worthless without a quality culture, the effort is already underway in my
opinion. Fast forward thirty years, HAIs are becoming more powerful so perhaps
there is a place in the virtual “Super Hospital” for our mechanical friends but
without a “Database of Best Practices for the Prevention of HAI” housed at the
CDPH, covered by the freedom of information act we may never know, the scope of
the demonstrations are just too small to determine the return on investment.
Here is one of
the robots--
Here is the
question on the Linkedin site Association for Professional Infection Control, I
included the hard copy below, the argument is contained with a limited audience.
APIC is also listed as a contributor to the CDPH HAI website, “thank you APIC”!
The argument----
How does APIC feel about the use of UV-C light to
disinfect patient rooms with the intentions of reducing HAI? Do you think this
technology has a future in the Healthcare market?
Mike
Johnson •UVc is a proven technique for disinfection of ORs, patient
rooms, etc., as long as, there is sufficient dwell time. In discussion with
facility directors, they realize the use of UVc portable equipment may cause a
reduction in HAIs but are concerned with "shadowing" (UVc will
inactivate only what it sees) and the ability of "housekeeping" staff
to sufficiently complete the job through manual disinfection. UVc is part of
the answer, not the whole answer. Facility directors are looking for ways to
reduce costs and improve results; at this time there needs to be a combination
of efforts, in sync and working together. UVc is just one piece of the puzzle.
Joseph
Schulman •I agree with Mike Johnson, UV-C is one part of the total
answer, but an important one. Another important part of the answer is advanced
air purification technology that can completely "clear" the air,
providing air purity beyond the capabilities of HEPA. This is important
because, while HEPA is good, and advanced HEPA is even better, they are filters
and even the best of them do not capture the smallest particles and it is the
smallest of particles that can be tha most dangerous and illness-causing,
according to the HArvard School of Public Health study recently released. A few
years ago, during the 1990's, NASA devised a bio-conversion technology that was
successful in removing all organic matter and VOC's from the air within the
hydroponics lab onboard the space shuttles and ISS, (and it is now on display
with all the retired shuttles), which has begun to be used in many industires
just as successfully here on Earth. It has the capability to clear the air in a
room or space of virtually all organic matter, pathogens, allergens, VOC's,
spores, bacteria....virtually everything, and to thereby protect patients and
staff from airborn threats. IMHO it should be installed in all hospital OR's,
ER's and newborn nurseries, to name just a few places within a healthcare
setting in which it could be deployed. This is a true breakthrough technology.
I am not here to advertise so anyone interested in learning more please contact
me privately. JKS
Michael Slavinski •The shadowing, wad up
a piece of paper, turn off the lights, turn on the flash light and illuminate
every part of the paper, even the inside, non-visible surfaces, not a chance,
another wasted “innovation” strategy.
Ok, now have your sanitation engineer tell you how they disinfected the roof? Air filtration sure is not going to hurt either, perhaps even positive air pressure to keep the bugs out.
Look in a clean room at your local chip manufacturer, cool stuff and sometimes we let dogs run through our hospitals?
Pleased support the development of some form of “Database of Best Practices for the Prevention of Hospital Associated Infections”, to be hosted a the California Department of Public Health(CDPH), covered by the freedom of information act.
The “Super Hospital”, if not only virtual, is possible, your ideas on their own may not make it out of your silo but the possible cumulative impact of the right combination will be the answer.
My advocacy for the prevention of HAI at our Veteran’s Hospitals is counting on your input, send your “best practice” here
Jorge.Palacios@cdph.ca.gov
The CDPH is doing a great job concerning the prevention of HAI, their web site and resources are improving but they can only do so much without your input in my opinion!
http://www.cdph.ca.gov/programs/hai/Pages/default.aspx
Ok, now have your sanitation engineer tell you how they disinfected the roof? Air filtration sure is not going to hurt either, perhaps even positive air pressure to keep the bugs out.
Look in a clean room at your local chip manufacturer, cool stuff and sometimes we let dogs run through our hospitals?
Pleased support the development of some form of “Database of Best Practices for the Prevention of Hospital Associated Infections”, to be hosted a the California Department of Public Health(CDPH), covered by the freedom of information act.
The “Super Hospital”, if not only virtual, is possible, your ideas on their own may not make it out of your silo but the possible cumulative impact of the right combination will be the answer.
My advocacy for the prevention of HAI at our Veteran’s Hospitals is counting on your input, send your “best practice” here
Jorge.Palacios@cdph.ca.gov
The CDPH is doing a great job concerning the prevention of HAI, their web site and resources are improving but they can only do so much without your input in my opinion!
http://www.cdph.ca.gov/programs/hai/Pages/default.aspx
Once again, “thank
you”!
Sincerely,
Michael H.
Slavinski
HAI robot—the movie
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MShAH2ILrcg"If we can improve the quality of care, that will translate into lower cost," Anthem President Pam Kehaly said. "These are real dollars”
Quality statement via U.S. Peace corps, some things translate very well!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pWkuaPdXUB0
Ps: UCSF/CDPH,
just because the Niner’s are getting smoked, no reason to turn off the lights!
