Home

Author: sphmedicaladmin

N95 Masks for Maximum Protection
CategoriesInfection Prevention

Cal OSHA New ETS for N95 Respirators

by sphmedicaladmin

On June 17th, Cal OSHA issued an updated COVID-19 Prevention ETS (Emergency Temporary Standards) requiring employers in California to provide N95 Masks for employees that are unvaccinated. The following topics are discussed in the updated ETS. As a result of the updated ETS we are seeing an immediate increase in demand for NIOSH Approved N95 Respirators.

Summary of June 17th ETS.

  • Physical Distancing – This is being phased out along with barriers.
  • N95 Respirators for employees – Employer must provide access to N95 mask for unvaccinated employees
  • Face Coverings – Face Coverings are still required for unvaccinated employees
  • Vaccines – Employers must document vaccination status of employees
  • Testing – Must be offered at no charge to Employees
  • Outbreaks – More protective measures will be required if an Outbreak occurs
  • Enforcement – Employers should implement the June 17th ETS as soon as possible to avoid being cited

Here are the highlights of the ETS as it relates to N95 Respirators:

Q:  Is an employer’s obligated to provide respirators and to whom?

A:   The bottom line is that there are two scenarios that an employer needs to be prepared for:  (1) An Employer must provide an N95 respirator to any unvaccinated employee who works with others indoors or in a vehicle and who requests one and (2)  If there is a major outbreak the employer must provide an N95 to any employees in the exposed group for voluntary use.  The employer must provide a respirator that is the right size and fit for the employee and they must provide basic instruction on how to get a good fit or seal around their face.

Q:  Does an Employer have to provide N95 respirators “upon request”?

A:  An employer must be able to provide the respirator upon request.  The employer can wither keep the N95 masks in stock or they can take a poll of all their employees to determine which employees will need an N95 respirator before they purchase them.  Once the employer has determined that it has employees that wish to wear respirators it should make sure that it has enough quantity of masks that fit properly for this group of employees and also consider that respirators will have to be replaced if soiled, broken or contaminated.  Employers can also allow employees to purchase their own mask and reimburse the employee.

If an unvaccinated employee asks for an N95 mask at any time, the employer is obligated to provide one.

If there is a major outbreak the employer must offer N95 respirators to all employees whether they have been vaccinated or not.

Q. How soon does a respirator need to be provided after an employee requests it?

A. According to the new ETS employers should estimate their needs immediately and order the required NIOSH Approved N95 respirators to provide to unvaccinated employees as soon as possible.

Healthcare Workers Also Continue to Depend on N95 Masks

While the COVID-19 pandemic is becoming less severe as case counts drop steadily and larger percentages of people become vaccinated from the coronavirus, healthcare workers are still in need of protective equipment to prevent a COVID-19 infection, especially since variants of this virus are spreading worldwide. As such, the NIOSH N95 mask is essential for hospital workers over the coming months.

While there was a severe shortage of health grade N95 masks in the past, now that fewer people in the outside world need to mask up, hospital workers are seeing a more steady stream of the N95 mask in their supplies. This means nurses, doctors, and other healthcare workers will not need to worry about infection risk as much since they won’t need to re-use these supplies.

Who are the hospital workers that are in greatest need of the NIOSH approved N95 respirator? Keep reading to find out.

Hospital Workers are also in Need of This Mask

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), surgical N95 respirators are meant only for healthcare personnel who need to be protected from airborne and fluid risks such as splashes and sprays. If N95 respirator masks are not available for use, a face shield can be used instead.

Therefore, any healthcare workers, such as surgeons, physicians, or nurses, who perform procedures on patients that involve transfer of body fluids, particulate matter, and microorganisms need to use N95 respirators, according to the US Food and Drug Administration.

What Different Styles of Masks are in Use Today?

There are several different styles of masks that medical workers use today, such as the cup style mask, a mask with a vertical fold, and a duckbill mask. There are N95 masks in the shape of a cup style, which involves a cone shape.

A vertical fold mask has vertical pleats and can be sewn together by an average stitcher using standard fabric that can be bought at a Michaels store. An N95 duckbill mask poofs out at the front and looks similar to a duckbill.

What is a Surgical Rating for an N95?

NIOSH approves surgical N95 respirators for use as a standard N95 respirator while in the past the FDA approved the respirator as a surgical mask.  Recently NIOSH has updated their surgical respirator approval to a more streamlined process. Research has shown that N95 respirator masks have much lower penetration levels of particles in the air when compared to the blue style 3 ply surgical mask.

Having a proper fit across the face, as determined by a fit test, makes a major difference in keeping air particles from infecting the mask wearer.

Who are the Key Manufacturers in this Space?

Some of the top manufacturers of protective equipment and face masks include:

    • Makrite
    • 3M
    • Honeywell
    • Kimberley-Clark Corporation

SPH Medical is a trusted source for N95 respirators and is a global distributor for Makrite Industries.

The Healthcare Facilities Using N95 Masks

In addition to Hospitals, some other types of healthcare facilities that use N95 respirators that you may not be aware of include long-term care facilities, nursing homes, and assisted living centers, according to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). In particular, healthcare workers who are in contact with a long-term care resident who is suspected or found to have COVID-19 should wear N95 respirators or a higher-level face mask.

New Market Trends

The market trends for N95 respirators positioned the compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 45.1% from 2020 to 2027, according to a report from Grand View Research. The COVID-19 pandemic along with other infectious diseases led to a significant growth in demand for N95 respirators. North America took up a 32.3 percent share of global revenue in 2019.

Despite the decline in COVID-19 cases, the growth in demand for N95 respirators means there is still a global shortage of protective equipment and these masks, according to the FDA. To mitigate these continual shortages, the US government is taking action such as providing more information about alternative options for protective gear.

US manufacturers have been investing millions of dollars into rebuilding the stockpiles of such protective equipment including masks, isolation gowns, and more. International manufacturing has also played a major role in overcoming these shortages.

The future of the healthcare industry will depend upon N95 respirators and other protective equipment while the COVID-19 pandemic continues to impact the globe.

References:

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/hcp/checklist-n95-strategy.html

https://www.osha.gov/sites/default/files/respiratory-protection-covid19-long-term-care.pdf

https://www.grandviewresearch.com/industry-analysis/n95-mask-market#:~:text=The%20global%20N95%20mask%20market%20size%20was%20estimated%20at%20USD,USD%206.39%20billion%20in%202020.&text=The%20N95%20mask%20market%20is,USD%2021.57%20billion%20by%202027.

https://www.fda.gov/medical-devices/coronavirus-covid-19-and-medical-devices/medical-device-shortages-during-covid-19-public-health-emergency

 

 

 

Epidural Chair improves Staff Safety
CategoriesPatient Handling

Epidural Pain Relief and the EPD

by sphmedicaladmin

Epidural anesthesia blocks pain sensation in a given region of the body and provides analgesia. The EPD improves safety for both staff and patients and increases and comfort for patients. An Epidural blocks impulses from lower spinal segments leading to reduced pain sensation in the lower part of the body. Most epidural pain relief medications are local anesthetics and are administered in combination with opioids like fentanyl.

How Epidural Pain Relief Works?

Local anesthetics are directed into the epidural space. EPD is mainly used during childbirth, management of chronic sciatica and back pain. Specialists will optimize the care to suit the needs of a particular patient.

The spinal cord carries electrical impulses between nerves and the brain. Therefore, injection of local anesthetics into the epidural space of the lower back blocks pain sensation on the leg and pelvic area.

Your anesthetist can assess the amount of feeling lost based on the type and concentration of the administered medications. However, before the effect wears off, you may not move your legs or hands.

The passing of urine will also be a challenge because the sensation that the bladder is full is absent. However, you will have a catheter to help you pass urine while on the epidural.

Preparing for the Procedure

The anesthetist will guide you on how to prepare for an epidural. It is contraindicated in patients with a history of blood clots or conditions affecting the lower back and nervous system. In addition, it is vital to tell the anesthetist if you are on blood thinners like clopidogrel, warfarin, and aspirin. During the process, you may remain awake, but you can also receive a sedative to help you relax.

Epidurals are effective in managing pain during labor. First, the anesthetist will request the patients to lie on their sides for proper medication administration, with their knees drawn up to their tummies and their chin tucked in. The patient can also sit on the bed while leaning forward. All these positions open up the vertebral space.

Epidural Pain Relief and Patient Safety

When it comes to the safe positioning of the patient and reducing risks of injuries to the caregivers like nurses, an epidural positioning device is vital. It reduces medical staff injuries and keeps patients safe. The device is the most widely employed in positioning for a variety of procedures.

The epidural chair is an example of a manual positioning device. It involves the medical staff placing the patient’s feet on the chair first and then inserting pillows underneath the upper body. Patients support their weight on the cushions.

The epidural chair has a solid foundation that can’t move easily. Instead, it provides an adjustable foot platform and locks into position to secure every patient for the procedure.

The device encourages lumbar, thoracic, and cervical flexion. In addition, it helps in epidural pain relief for pain during labor.

Benefits of Epidural Positioning Device

Some of the benefits associated with the device over the manual EPD include:

1. Lowers Risk of Complications

There is an increased risk of complexities because of the unique taxing nature of positioning in epidural procedures and spinal blocks. In the absence of a reliable and ergonomic solution like an epidural positioning device, health workers may have to use their bodies in positioning the patients and ensuring that they are secure.

The latter may cause physical injuries to the health care worker because the patient may become violent due to the intense pain. On the other hand, patients rely on pillows, but they voluntarily move when the pain becomes severe. Hence, compromising the process.

2. Eliminates Risk of Injury

Whether in preoperative settings, operating rooms, or other areas in the hospital, caregivers and nurses are having to manually position the patients for the epidural procedure. It involves the caregiver holding the stool, the table, and the patient using their body during the procedure.

The aim is to reduce movements from patients that may cause injuries. However, the act puts the assistant or nurse in a risky situation and may cause musculoskeletal injuries. Studies have revealed that awkward static holds carried out regularly cause musculoskeletal disorders. Nurses are the number one at risk profession for a MSDO and the EPD is a simple yet highly effective solution to reduce this risk.

The effects of an epidural pain relief wear off within two hours. You will be free of drowsiness associated with general anesthetics.

Improve Patient Comfort and Staff Safety with SPH Medical's EPD
CategoriesPatient Handling

Practicing Safe Patient Handling When Performing Thoracentesis

by sphmedicaladmin

Thoracentesis or Pleural Tap

Also known as a pleural tap, it happens when the doctors drain liquid buildup in the pleural space. Doing this enables the medical team to carry out a pleural fluid analysis to determine what might be causing an accumulation of fluids in or around the lungs. The pleural space, located between the chest and the lungs, typically has about four tablespoons of fluid. Various conditions can cause a reduction or increase of this fluid, which can be detrimental to the patient. Initially, carrying out this procedure meant that the patient would be twisted up to allow for the needle to go through. The epidural positioning chair has been a recent advancement for many pulmonologists, ultrasound imaging staff, and patients as well. Understanding what an EPD is and its usefulness will help doctors and patients think alike regarding epidurals, spinal block, and thoracentesis.

Why Do Patients need the Thoracentesis procedure?

Fluid buildup or reduction in the chest cavity can be detrimental to the health of the patient. The surest way of knowing what needs to be done is by carrying out a pleural fluid analysis. Excess fluid in or around the lungs can increase pressure and cause difficulty in breathing. On the other hand, less pleural fluid means that the lungs will not be well supported and can get damaged with time. Some of the main conditions that can cause fluid to build up in the chest are:

  • Cancer
  • Pneumonia
  • Chronic lung disease
  • Lung infections
  • Congestive heart failure

All these conditions can have dire consequences on the health of the patient. Before the fluid is drained from the chest cavity, the doctors need to know the cause of the build up. Knowing this helps them chart out a course of treatment to prevent further liquid from building up in the patient’s body.

What Is an Epidural Positioning Device?

An epidural positioning device or epidural chair helps the hospital staff position their patient well before inserting a needle into their body. This procedure typically requires that patients sit and lean forward with arms raised without moving for 10-30 minutes. This presents a few challenges for hospital staff. If the patient is sedated before the process it can mean that even more manual positioning and support is required by staff. In general ultrasound techs are working with the patient to prepare them for the thoracentesis procedure. First, the patient is usually seated on a stretcher or exam table. A stool may be brought over to support their feet. Then a bedside table stacked with pillows is often brought over to have the patient lean on with their arms and head. In many cases the table with pillows doesn’t lock properly. It can be a physical challenge to position the patient while at the same time locating the ideal location for needle insertion. Once positioned properly a staff member typically stands by to ensure that the patient doesn’t fall forward or slip off the stretcher. The bedside table solution is not ideal and presents a real risk to patients for falls.

Benefits of EPD

The EPD does has been a major advancement in patient positioning for this procedure. The Epidural Chair which has been used in Labor and Delivery units and Surgery departments to comfortably position patients for Epidurals and Spinal Blocks is now being used for Thoracentesis. The simple concept of positioning patients comfortably in the ideal seated position, leaning forward with arms and head supported really works well for Thoras. Hospitals like University of Virgina Medical Center and City of Hope, just to name a few, are using the EPD every day for Thoracentesis.

  • Reduced risk of injury to hospital staff
  • Increased Patient Satisfaction
  • Improved patient throughput
  • Reduced risk of falls
  • Improved needle placement
  • Supports patients of size up to 600lbs

The SPH Medical Epidural Positioning Chair or EPD is a simple yet effective Safe Patient Handling solution that is easily implemented in any hospital department. Contact SPH Medical for more information or to request a quote.

Reduce Risk Of Injury with the SPH Medical EPD
CategoriesPatient Handling

Epidural or Spinal Block

by sphmedicaladmin

Epidural Positioning Device Implementation to Improve Patient Outcomes and Healthcare Worker Safety

In the realm of anesthesia, there are many methods to help reduce a patient’s pain and suffering during operations or procedures. It takes an entire team of healthcare professionals to deliver safe and effective anesthesia that produces positive patient outcomes. One of the most common anesthesia types includes epidural anesthesia or spinal block, which is seen in the operating room and the labor and delivery room. The delivery of anesthesia in these modalities is much more technical and requires more staffing in general than general anesthesia. They need the anesthetist and supportive staff to be positioned in respect to the patient to deliver the medication effectively and safely. Patients also understand that they play a role during the anesthesia and must remain completely still during the procedure. The patient’s body habitus also plays a role in how well the patient and supporting staff can get the patient in the correct position.

Epidural anesthesia delivers medication into the area that lies above the epidural sac. Understanding the basic anatomy of the spinal cord and the vertebral column can help understand the positioning of a patient when it comes to the delivery of anesthesia. The epidural sac covers the spinal cord and creates a space where cerebrospinal fluid can nourish and cushion the spinal cord. The vertebrae that help protect the spinal cord have spinous processes that project posteriorly that protect and allow for mobility of the spine. When a patient is flexed, the spinous process angle between each other opens and exposes the spinal cord. The anesthetist can use this position to allow direct access to the Dural sac since the spinous process will be angled up and away in a flexed position.

The spinal cord and vertebral column’s anatomy and function are why epidural anesthesia requires the patient to be in a flexed-knee-to-chest position. The anesthetist will then have access to the spine to deliver the medication at the proper location safely. Often the additional staff is needed to help position the patient. The team who help position the patient can often find themselves in non-ergonomic positions to keep the patient from moving and allowing safe delivery of medication. An often-overlooked factor of patient safety and outcomes is the ergonomics of the staff that are included in procedures. Staff who must repeatedly put their bodies in awkward anatomical positions can put themselves at risk for a musculoskeletal injury. This can affect patient outcomes down the road if staff are not able to perform functions necessary for their task because of a musculoskeletal disorder.

A lot of research is being invested in staff ergonomics and safety to aid in improving patient outcomes. With respect to epidurals and similar procedures requiring patient positioning, an Epidural Positioner Device, or EPD, has been developed to provide safety to both the patient and the healthcare staff. Epidural positioning device benefits patient outcomes by allowing for safe and fast positioning of the patient. It can also be adjusted with respect to the patient’s body habitus. From the user standpoint, there are less movement and fewer complications with regards to catheter placement. The Epidural Positioner can also be used in settings that require the patient to be in a similar position, such as a Spinal Block. In a Spinal Block, the medication is administered within the Dural sac, whereas in an epidural, the medicine is administered just above the Dural sac. Both procedures require the patient to be in the same position, which allows the epidural positioning to be used in either setting.

The Epidural or Spinal Block and Thoracentesis

The Epidural Positioner has also found its way into Thoracentesis. This is a procedure where fluid from the thoracic is removed either for therapeutics or diagnostic studies. Allowing the patient to be placed in a less mobile position will enable the proceduralist to safely perform the Thoracentesis without injury to vital structures such as the lung. This device shows its promising advancement in patient outcomes when it comes to improving staff ergonomics and safety. It takes an entire medical team to take care of a patient. It is of utmost importance for any organization to seriously take the safety and health of each of its staff members.

Considering the EPD implementation, patient outcomes can be improved and allow for procedures to be carried out safely, effectively, and rapidly to help reduce negative outcomes and financial burdens to the healthcare system. In the realm of epidural or spinal block, pain and suffering can be reduced in the labor and delivery floor and in the operating suite. In diagnostic procedures like the spinal tap, a safer collection of specimens can be carried out while decreasing the risk of harming the patient during studies. In Thoracentesis, healthcare professionals can perform therapeutic procedures at a more effective and expedited timeline requiring less staff to hold the patient. Overall, the EPD or devices like it may find their way into other procedures to help decrease the risk of Musculoskeletal disorders and injuries to users and provide safe and effective healthcare.

Nitrile Exam Glove Testing 2021
CategoriesInfection Prevention

Evaluating the Quality of Nitrile Exam Gloves for Hospitals

by sphmedicaladmin

Nitrile Exam Gloves for Hospitals

Most of the world was unprepared for a pandemic like COVID-19. The contagion caused many supply chain issues including a shortage of medical supplies like gloves, N95 masks and, isolation gowns. With the need for these supplies continuing, some scammers are attempting to profit by manufacturing fake or low quality gloves with fake packaging. It’s important for value analysis and purchasing departments to avoid buying them. Not only are they a financial loss, but they could also put hospital staff and patients at risk. Here’s how to evaluate the quality of nitrile exam gloves for hospitals.

What You Need to Know About FDA 510K Approval

The FDA requires some medical device manufacturers to register with them when they plan to advertise a medical device. Under section 510K, these companies must notify the FDA of their marketing agenda at least 90 days before they intend to implement it.

This alert is called Premarket Notification. The FDA requires this step to determine if the product is equal to a device that’s already in one of the government agency’s three classification sections. That way, the FDA can identify medical devices properly.

For medical examination gloves the FDA approves the glove with a product code to confirm the approval for the intended use.  LZA is the product code issued to Nitrile Examination gloves to confirm that the gloves are intended for medical purposes and are worn on the examiner’s hands or fingers to prevent contamination between patient and examiner.  Other important product approval codes are OPJ which is for Medical Gloves with Chemotherapy Labeling Claims, and QDO which is an approval for Fentanyl and other Opioid Protection Gloves.  The FDA includes in their 510K approval letter all of the associated testing that was submitted for review by the manufacturer to achieve the respective product code.

Look for ASTM D6319 TestingGlove manufacturers are required to provide testing that meets ASTM standards.  ASTM International is a nonprofit global standards organization that develops and distributes technical standards for a variety of products including medical equipment. Companies that produce their products according to ASTM D6319 standards are able to offer their customers the assurance that they are selling Examination grade gloves that are manufactured for medical use.

When gloves meet the ASTM D6319 standard, they are powder free, thicker than disposable gloves designed for other purposes and include a higher tensile strength level.

The ASTM testing standards for chemo tested nitrile exam gloves consists of checking the material’s strength and flexibility. The organization’s tests are designed to make sure that an examination glove is unlikely to tear or fail and provides the proper amount of stretch.

When a powder free examination glove box confirms that its contents have been ASTM tested, then the gloves have undergone an accelerated aging process that involves heat. This test is designed to assess how well the gloves will work toward the end of their shelf life, giving you peace of mind that they will continue to provide protection until they are expired.

Check for ASTM Chemotherapy Drug Testing Standards

Since chemotherapy agents are extremely toxic, it’s important for healthcare employees to handle them wearing examination gloves that have been tested for saturation using the ASTM’s more vigorous D6978 standard instead of the guidelines used for other chemicals.

The chemotherapy drug testing standards require companies to test the gloves for up to four hours. The permeation test measures the time that it takes certain chemicals to make their way through the material of the latex free glove. For a glove to be considered safe for chemotherapy drugs, the tests must take place at particular temperatures too.

Understand the Ins and Outs of Factory Standards

ASTM standards include AQL testing, or Acceptable Quality Level.  For example ASTM D6319-10 includes an AQL of 2.5%. Before buying gloves from any company, make sure that you know how they test their products. Check the label for Acceptance Quality Limit, or AQL, testing. The definition of AQL testing is a “quality level that is the worst tolerable.” It refers to the highest number of faulty products allowed in a batch before that batch is discarded. For instance, if a label states that the AQL is 1.5%, then this means that the glove batch cannot contain more than 1.5% faulty items in the order.  Of course ASTM standards are set at an AQL of 2.5%, but some factories have an AQL of 1.5% which means they have stricter quality control levels.

Factory Testing of Nitrile Exam Gloves

Since the development of COVID-19 has caused a shortage of the raw materials needed to make nitrile examination gloves, defrauders have appeared on the scene to take advantage of hospitals and steal their money. When you buy quality tested nitrile exam gloves, your facility will be stocked with powder free gloves that are also latex free. To avoid becoming victim to a scam, watch for suspicious activity like uncommon payment requirements, sudden price increases and unexpected bulk supplies.

Read the Information that is Printed on the Medical Glove Box

The label printed on the glove box is important. It should include a list of tests that the manufacturer performed to confirm the quality of the gloves and their safety. When you purchase examination gloves, make sure that the boxes are labeled with information like:

  • Patient examination glove or surgeon’s glove
  • Tested for permeation resistance to chemotherapy drugs according to ASTM D6978-05
  • What chemotherapy drugs the gloves have been tested against
  • Chemical resistance data

The label should also show you the number of chemotherapy drugs that the gloves were tested against and the amount of drugs used during testing.

Label information is important because it allows you to confirm that you have exam gloves that are manufactured to provide the proper protection for your healthcare staff.

Keep in mind that packaging is simple for manufacturers to produce, making it the easiest thing to fake. If you run into a scammer, the box may falsely state that tests and standards have taken place when they haven’t. To keep your hospital staff protected, request third-party testing documents from your supplier. That way, you can confirm that you’re purchasing quality nitrile exam gloves.

Keeping Hospitals Stocked with Chemo Tested Nitrile Exam Gloves

Currently, the cost for raw materials to manufacture medical gloves has shot up quickly due to a lack of supplies and more demand because of COVID-19. Despite these challenges, SPH Medical is working tirelessly to provide consistent glove supplies to its hospital clients.

Sources:

1. https://webstore.ansi.org/sdo/astm
2. https://hourglass-intl.com/glove-testing-demystified-tensile-strength-and-ultimate-elongation/
3. https://www.pppmag.com/article/1623/January_2015/Are_Gloves_and_Gowns_Safe_for_Handling_Chemotherapy/#:~:text=ASTM%20standard%20D6978%20is%20specific,care%20workers%20handle%20chemotherapy%20drugs.
4. https://www.fbi.gov/news/pressrel/press-releases/fbi-warns-health-care-professionals-of-increased-potential-for-fraudulent-sales-of-covid-19-related-medical-equipment
5. FDA Product classification codes for Medical Gloves  https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cdrh/cfdocs/cfpcd/classification.cfm?start_search=1&Submission_Type_ID=&DeviceName=&ProductCode=&DeviceClass=1&ThirdParty=&Panel=&RegulationNumber=880.6250&Implant_Flag=&Life_Sustain_Support_Flag=&PAGENUM=500&sortcolumn=DeviceNameDESC

The SPH Medical EPD improves patient safety
CategoriesPatient Handling

Epidural Trends and the Epidural Chair

by sphmedicaladmin

Current Epidural Trends in Hospitals and the Epidural Chair

Now more than ever in Labor and Delivery departments and in General Surgery areas the trend is to utilize the Epidural Chair to improve patient comfort and safety.  Equally important is the opportunity to improve safety for nursing and Anesthesia staff.  It is well known that the experience of childbirth is extremely painful for the mother. Modern medicine has advanced to provide mothers with epidural anesthesia for pain during labor. Epidural pain relief can make the child birthing experience less traumatic and exhausting for the mom. Epidural anesthesia depends on the technical abilities of the anesthetist. This requires assessing the risks that are present for the patient, positioning the patient for safe administration, and gathering the necessary staff to help with positioning. An often overlooked factor in patient outcomes in regard to pain relief is the ergonomics that nurses must respect during patient positioning to prevent themselves from developing musculoskeletal injury from repetitive patient positioning over their career. We will discuss these points in this article.

Proper positioning of the patient for safe and effective epidural pain relief can be understood with respect to the anatomy of the spinal column. The spinal cord is protected by the vertebral column. When a patient flexes their core, the posterior vertebral column spinal processes spread apart, allowing direct access to the dural sac that covers the spinal cord for anesthesia administration. Often, the nursing staff must help the patient remain in a still-flexed position to allow for safe administration. Depending on the patient’s body habitus, it can be difficult for nursing staff to hold the patient without compromising their own ergonomics. Patient positioning during administration of spinal anesthesia is very important.  EPD, commonly known as an epidural chair, has been implemented to help place patients flexed, allowing for effective anesthesia delivery.  The epidural positioning chair also doesn’t require nursing staff to put their bodies in stressful contortions, minimizing musculoskeletal injuries in the workplace.

Epidural pain relief is often significant to some expecting moms as they fear the pain during labor. Although it is a commonly performed procedure, epidural anesthesia does not come without its risk. Because the medication is being delivered near the dural sac and spinal cord, there is a risk of medication being administered within the dural sac. Risks seen during epidural anesthesia include a severe drop in blood pressure. Other side effects include difficulty urinating, nerve damage, nausea, vomiting, and infection.

Prevent Injury to the Spinal Cord

Injury to the spinal cord can also occur, with paralysis being a possible outcome. It is essential to understand these risks to help minimize negative outcomes. The Epidural chair helps decrease this risk by allowing the patient to be put in a fixed position that won’t disturb the anesthetist. Safety and reliability are of utmost importance in healthcare, and the EPD can provide proper positioning with adjustments in respect to the patient’s body habitus. Although there are many factors that go into the safe delivery of anesthesia, the utilization of an epidural chair can help mitigate the risk with respect to the proper positioning of the patient.

EPD can be used outside of the labor and delivery floor. With respect to spinal blocks and spinal taps, the chair is used because both procedures require the exact positioning. Spinal taps come with similar risks and can be mitigated similarly with the use of the chair. Often time patients who may need a spinal tap for therapeutic or diagnostic purposes must have a risk assessment which includes the ability to position the patient properly. In the pediatric population, a chair is not as helpful as children often require some form of sedation to help with patient positioning because of their age. In the adult population where body habitus is varied, an EPD chair that can be adjusted to reproduce the same position can help improve patient outcomes.

The Epidural Anesthesia

Epidural anesthesia can also be used to supplement general anesthesia for surgery and to help with pain alleviation during post-operative recovery. Surgeries that occur in the lower extremities can often be excruciating in the post-operative recovery period. Supplemental pain relief can help the patient feel more comfortable, and reduced pain perception can help a patient recover faster by complying with post-operative therapy. The utilization of an Epidural Positioning Device can help mitigate a safe and quick administration of a spinal block even in spite of staff not being able to be present for patient positioning. This kind of anesthesia helps reduce the usage of opioids for patients who refuse or patients with a history of opioid abuse.

Overall The utilization of an epidural positioning chair can help deliver safe and reliable anesthesia while reducing the risks of the procedure, the requirement of staffing, and the risk of musculoskeletal injuries. This chair can be utilized in similar procedures such as the spinal tap or even thoracentesis, which shows promising application outside of just epidural anesthesia. This trend to improve patient and staff safety using the EPD is increasing. Word is spreading in clinical circles that the simplicity and ease of use of the EPD drives compliance and therefore reduces risk, a very positive trend indeed.

References:

Comparing Three Different Modified Sitting Positions for Ease of Spinal Needle Insertion in Patients Undergoing Spinal Anesthesia by Sussan Soltani Mohammadi, Mohammadreza Piri, and Alireza Khajehnasiri 2017

CategoriesInfection Prevention

The Importance of Chemotherapy Testing for Nitrile Gloves

by sphmedicaladmin

Chemotherapy Testing for Nitrile Gloves

In today’s current environment of infections and pathogens we are more increasingly concerned about Chemotherapy Testing for Nitrile Gloves. The International Agency for Research on Cancer of the World Health Organization confirms that cancer rates are increasing around the world due to people living longer. Most cases of cancer happen to people who are older. Also, researchers believe that smoking tobacco and unhealthy eating habits are likely to result in more lung and gastrointestinal cancers throughout the world. This means that more people will need cancer treatment.

Why Is It Important to Test the Effectiveness of Nitrile Gloves Against Chemotherapy Drugs?

Universal precautions requiring the use of disposable gloves have been in place for years. These precautions were established to prevent death from HIV contamination during the ‘80s and ‘90s as well as from other dangerous chemicals. Until the 1990s, disposable gloves were manufactured mainly from rubber. Unfortunately, in 1996, Karen Wetterhahn, who was a scientist, died from mercury poisoning after the chemical seeped through her gloves during an experiment.

After news of Wetterhahn’s death traveled through the science community, researchers recommended the use of plastic-laminated gloves instead. Advancements in technology brought about latex, vinyl and nitrile gloves. Many health providers choose gloves made from nitrile because the material is highly resistant against chemicals. This makes them best for medical facilities that use chemotherapy drugs. To keep healthcare staff safe, it’s important to test the effectiveness of gloves made from nitrile against chemotherapy drugs.

It’s important for healthcare workers to know whether the gloves that they’re using will protect them against all types of chemotherapy drugs. To check, review the chemical infiltration label listed on the package. Make sure that your gloves feature the most recent standard provided by the American Society for Testing and Materials or ASTM. The current code is D6978-05.

What You Need to Know About Fentanyl Citrate

Fentanyl is an artificial opioid used by cancer patients to manage their pain. It comes in tablet or patch form. The drug, Fentanyl Citrate is 50 times stronger than heroin and an estimated 100 times more powerful than morphine. In fact, just 2mg of the opioid is strong enough to cause death, which is why it’s important to use disposable gloves that will protect you from this powerful drug when working with cancer patients.

Recommendations for Proper Glove Use

Experts recommend wearing two pairs of gloves that have been tested against chemotherapy drugs anytime you’re participating in activities involving hazardous drugs. You should also change your gloves every 30 minutes or right away if the gloves become damaged or if you know that they’ve been contaminated. This is why medical facilities need so many boxes of gloves.

Wear disposable gloves that are free of powder and made from nitrile, latex or neoprene. Also, make sure that the cuff of the glove is long enough to cover your gown sleeves. Glove thickness depends on the material of the gloves. If you’re doing chemotherapy preparation, then make sure that your exterior glove is a sterile one.

You should wear two sets of gloves when disposing of hazardous drugs, cleaning up spills and for routine cleaning.

How Does Glove Testing Offer Protection?

Chemotherapy drug testing offers protection because you’ll know what chemicals your gloves will protect you from. When testing is complete, the third-party testing company will print chemotherapy drug information on the glove packaging including which drugs the gloves were tested against. The label will also show you what level of protection the gloves provide. To make it easy to determine what your gloves provide protection against, companies may add pictograms to the glove boxes.

If you didn’t have access to this detailed information, then you might accidentally choose a set of gloves that are not designed to protect you from the drugs that you’re giving to patients.

Glove Testing Requirements

The European Council Directive provides legal coverage for medical gloves. Along with this, the European Standard outlines exact requirements when it comes to labeling, glove shelf life and disclosure information. Quality testing methods are developed to check the physical properties of these kinds of gloves. This includes their strength levels and dimensions.

Testing involves checking for macroscopic material flaws. There is also a standard to test gloves against chemicals and microorganisms. Gloves that receive certification based on each standard offer a higher level of protection for the wearer.

Standard test methods to determine the protective properties of gloves include checking glove permeation as well as penetration levels. Penetration indicates whether a chemical can make its way through pores or macroscopic holes while permeation determines if chemicals can move through the glove. Testing must be done over a certain amount of time.

Maintaining Safety Standards

Third-party testing labs check nitrile exam gloves against drugs to confirm that they are safe for both patients and medical professionals. Gloves made from nitrile are in short supply but SPH Medical is delivering continuous supply to hospitals and provides the highest quality nitrile exam gloves with chemotherapy drug and fentanyl citrate testing.

Sources:

  1. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/ijc.29058
  2. https://www.ons.org/sites/default/files/PPE%20Use%20With%20Hazardous%20Drugs.pdf
  3. https://www.soscleanroom.com/blog/the-history-of-disposable-gloves/
  4. https://lowderma.com/pdf/Fentanyl-2019.pdf
  5. https://es.halyardhealth.com/media/1409/kchc-evaluating-chemotherapy-protection-new-version.pdf
SPH Medical delivers Nitrile Exam Gloves
CategoriesInfection Prevention

The History of Nitrile Exam Gloves for Nursing Safety

by sphmedicaladmin

Nitrile Exam Gloves for Nursing Safety

Disposable gloves are the unsung heroes of healthcare products. They were developed because of a longtime need for the medical industry to implement cleaner standards and offer protection for those who provide healthcare services. Here’s the history and evolution of disposable gloves and how nitrile exam gloves became a necessity for the healthcare industry.

A Start with Johns Hopkins Hospital

Johns Hopkins Hospital opened in May 1889, and one of its founding members was Dr. William Stewart Halstead, a medical professional who is known for many important achievements in the medical community. For instance, he developed new surgical techniques for repairing hernias and removing gallstones. Dr. Halstead was also known for being a precise surgeon, one who believed in cleanliness. According to historical research, Halstead created the first surgical glove.

Dr. Halstead married a nurse named Caroline Hampton. She told him that she developed a rash after handling surgical chemicals. Dr. Halstead contacted the Goodyear Rubber Company, and they manufactured a set of rubber gloves for Caroline. She loved them so much that the couple requested more. Soon, Dr. Halstead’s surgical staff began wearing them when performing operations. At the time, his team used them because they increased their dexterity. They were not aware of how the gloves prevented the transfer of germs.

Before disposable gloves, patients who underwent surgery had a 50% mortality rate. Many of these deaths occurred because of germs being transferred from the doctor to the patient. Once the medical community made the connection, doctors began wearing disposable gloves more often. It didn’t take long for hospitals to make wearing them a requirement.

Material Advancements

Until the ‘90s, disposable gloves were typically manufactured from rubber. However, researchers found that rubber latex was unable to block some chemicals from connecting with the wearer’s skin. In 1996, Karen Wetterhahn, a researcher, died after mercury came into contact with her skin.

Later, it was determined that her gloves weren’t thick enough to protect her from the mercury. This incident encouraged researchers to recommend the use of plastic-laminated rubber gloves instead of latex during scientific experiments. Since then, the science and medical community has made material advancements.

Today, disposable gloves are made from materials like:

  • Latex
  • Nitrile
  • Vinyl
  • Neoprene
  • Polyethylene

Nitrile gloves are a popular choice because the material is highly resistant to chemicals. Manufacturers can develop it into a soft film, making them comfortable to wear. The material is exceptionally clean and free of accelerators. These features make nitrile gloves perfect for cleanrooms. Chemo tested nitrile exam gloves protect both the wearer and the patient.

History of Nitrile

Best Manufacturing, which is now Showa Best, developed the technology for nitrile gloves about 15 years ago. Once people discovered how useful the material was, Ansell brought out different glove products such as blue nitrile and purple nitrile gloves. Gloves made from nitrile are not a competing product against latex gloves. Instead, they are produced for people who are working with dangerous chemicals or have an allergy to latex.

Nitrile Exam Gloves Shortage

The coronavirus pandemic has led to a shortage of personal protection equipment, or PPE, like surgical gowns and gloves. Since nitrile gloves are hypoallergenic and capable of resisting chemicals, hospitals prefer them for their medical staff. At the moment, these gloves are tough to get and increasingly expensive.

According to reports, the national stockpile of them in the United States is just 72 million gloves compared to the target amount of 4.5 billion. The shortage is causing states to make their way through an intense medical equipment market filled with shady middlemen and black-market dealers. Fraud is occurring at a rapid pace and the cost of gloves is skyrocketing.

Estimates show that one box of gloves costs around $32. This is a massive increase from what medical facilities were paying before the pandemic arrived. The demand has minted a few more billionaires and centimillionaires.

Market analysts are confirming that the global demand for nitrile gloves has almost doubled in just a few months. In 2019, the demand was an estimated 300 billion while in August of 2020, the demand grew to almost 585 billion.

Glove manufacturers can only develop about 370 billion gloves each year. After determining the enhanced need for gloves, companies have been working to increase production. The production increase will allow companies to make around 50 billion more of them, but this still leaves the medical community short. Also, while the United States appears to be getting the virus under control, it is raging in countries like India.

Even after the pandemic subsides around the world, manufacturers believe that the demand for nitrile gloves will increase. The reason for this is that now people know about their protective properties.

Protective Equipment that the Healthcare Industry Needs

SPH Medical works with manufacturers to provide Nitrile Examination Gloves to hospitals and healthcare facilities around the world. We want to keep healthcare workers everywhere comfortable and safe.

Sources:

  1. https://www.sciencehistory.org/distillations/the-nurse-who-introduced-gloves-to-the-operating-room
  2. https://www.hsimagazine.com/article/the-development-of-nitrile-gloves-144/
  3. https://www.forbes.com/sites/giacomotognini/2021/02/11/billionaires-making-boatloads-of-money-from-once-cheap-medical-gloves/?sh=110d3cec661c
CategoriesPatient Handling

Air Transfer Mat Solves Lateral Transfer and Positioning Risk in Hospitals

by sphmedicaladmin

Solving Lateral Transfer and Positioning Risk in Hospitals

Nurses, certified nursing assistants, and other healthcare workers constantly move, transfer, and reposition patients and residents during their workdays. Needless to say, the repetitive lifting and moving of people to and from beds, chairs and bathtubs can wreak havoc on caregivers’ health. Today, mechanical lift aids, an air transfer mat and other technologies help reduce the risk of injuries to caregivers and patients alike. However, many facilities continue to transfer and position patients manually, assuming that draw sheets and other methods are safe enough. In reality, lateral transfers cause countless repositioning injuries and other nursing injuries every year.

Increased Risk of Injury from Manual Patient Handling Tasks

Patients and healthcare workers alike are often injured during manual patient handling tasks, including when transferring patients laterally from point to point. According to OSHA, healthcare workers are seven times as likely to develop musculoskeletal disorders than workers in other industries. Per the Bureau of Labor Statistics, healthcare workers face among the highest rates of musculoskeletal injury from overexertion. Across all industries, 33 of every 10,000 workers face such risks; in the healthcare industry, 68 of every 10,000 workers do. Additionally, patients are at increased risk of injury from such transfers and other activities. Every year, approximately 440,000 hospital patients die from hospital errors, injuries, accidents and infections, and Medicare patients have a one in four chance of being injured, harmed or killed after being admitted to the hospital.

Risks to Patients

Total care patients – those who are completely immobile and unable to move– must be moved, transferred and repositioned continually by caregivers. Throughout the day, they may be moved from toilet to chair, chair to bed, bathtub to chair and to and from other areas of a facility. Additionally, such patients must be moved from side to side in bed, lifted back up after slipping down in bed and even moved around while their beds are being made.

Every time a healthcare worker manually transfers a patient, they face an increased risk of being injured. Caregivers must often maneuver them from awkward angles and positions, increasing the risk of mishaps. The process is often uncomfortable for patients at the very least, making them dread any time they must be moved and making life more stressful in general.

Risks to Healthcare Workers

Healthcare workers bear the brunt of the risk of injury when laterally transferring patients without the aid of advanced technologies. Because of the obesity epidemic, patients are larger than ever, further increasing the risk of injury. Manual patient handling tasks contribute to countless injuries and chronic conditions among healthcare workers every year, including sprains, strains and slipped disks. Over time, injuries to the low back and shoulders often develop in those who must repetitively move and transfer patients.

According to research performed by Dr. William Marras of Ohio State’s Spine Research Institute, vertebral discs are avascular and depend upon the vertebrae above and below for nourishment and to remain healthy. Due to overexertion, small microfractures in the vertebral discs develop over time and prevent the disc from receiving the required nourishment. Continued overexertion then may result in a severe or career ending back injury. A seemingly “safe” manual patient handling task like a lateral transfer may just be the proverbial straw that broke the camels back.

Hospitals and other facilities face increased costs because of overexertion and injury among nurses and other healthcare professionals, including disability reimbursements and medical expenses. Injuries from manual patient handling cause higher turnover rates and increased absenteeism among healthcare workers. One study revealed that up to 20% of nurses who leave the industry do so because of the risks they face.

Protect Caregivers and Patients with an Air Transfer Mat

Mechanical solutions for lifting, transferring and repositioning patients are more advanced and readily available than ever. By investing in air-powered lateral transfer devices like and air transfer mat, facilities can dramatically decrease the risk of injuries among healthcare workers and patients. Such devices rely on ergonomics to ensure that they suit workers’ capabilities, reducing strain on their bodies. Mechanical lifts with slings, lifts that assist with standing, mechanical transfer aids and other devices go a long way toward protecting residents and caregivers.

When transferring patients laterally, nurses and other caregivers often pull them from bed to gurney with a draw sheet, or they might pull the patient on a sheet, sliding them across a plastic board. Either way, there’s still too much friction, and injuries can easily occur. Today, air-powered lateral transferring devices are the gold standard for reducing the risk of injuries and other problems. These devices use a thin layer of air beneath an inflated mattress to “float” patients from point to point, making the process easier, safer and more efficient for all.

SPH Medical supplies today’s top air-powered patient transfer solutions, allowing facilities like hospitals to reduce the risk of injuries to patients and healthcare workers. Products like AirPal and HoverMatt significantly reduce the risk of nursing injury and repositioning injury; in turn, employee downtime, absenteeism, disability expenses and other issues decrease, allowing facilities to maintain productivity while keeping costs in check. Today, the CDC recommends one patient lift device per eight immobile patients, and air-powered transfer devices are among the most useful and flexible options. Find one that suits the needs of your facility by shopping SPH Medical today.

CategoriesPatient Handling

Patient Positioning and Nursing Injuries

by sphmedicaladmin

How Patient Positioning and Lateral Transfers Increase Risk of Injury to our Nurses

Patient positioning in a hospital, surgery center, or medical clinic occurs twenty four hours a day and every day. Patients are constantly sliding down in bed and therefore need to be boosted back up, turned, bathed, and transferred. In this article we’re going to review one of the most common and predictable patient positioning tasks, a lateral transfer. Lateral transfers occur in many inpatient hospital units throughout the day. Whether patients are headed into surgery or to the imaging center, numerous departments oversee lateral transfers. In layman’s terms, a lateral transfer consists of transferring a patient from one surface to another. Unfortunately, the unpredictability of this procedure leaves a lot of room for error. As a result, both medical professionals and patients become susceptible to injuries. Specifically, hospital staff are at risk of MSDO’s due to the high frequency of this task and the increasing weight of patients. Lateral transfers have become so dangerous that more constructive alternatives are being developed.

In most cases, nurses perform lateral transfers by using the sheet that’s underneath the patient. If there aren’t enough hands on deck, a plastic board can help offset insufficient manpower. However, this method is far from flawless, and it doesn’t reduce enough friction to prevent a nursing injury or repositioning injury from occurring. Strains and sprains are commonplace but more serious career ending back injuries are occurring. Since a successful lateral transfer hinges entirely on physical effort and effective communication, these practices have been deemed high risk.

In fact, these techniques are so ineffective that medical professionals are over 30 percent more likely to experience musculoskeletal pain.  According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Registered Nurses are the number one at risk profession for a back injury with an average of 7 lost work days per injury.  Manual Patient Handling injuries are the primary culprits for this debilitating condition. While occupational injuries aren’t ideal for workers, they can be especially detrimental to hospitals. Not only do injuries leave their personnel indisposed, but these mishaps can also prove costly, requiring hospitals to pay hundreds of thousands of dollars to cover injury costs, and that’s just the direct cost of these injuries.  d

In the hopes of addressing this ongoing issue, the Bureau of Labor Statistics held a study on safe patient handling programs. Their research showed that hospitals with proper lateral transfer procedures were 73 percent less likely to put their nurses or patients at risk. With this compelling evidence, the House made the noble decision to draft the Nurse and Health Care Worker Protection Act in 2015. At its core, this bill seeks to protect nurses from musculoskeletal disorders by requiring hospitals to reinforce their mobility, injury prevention, and patient handling standards.

The Future Of Safe Lateral Transfers

To combat the number of repositioning injuries, companies started introducing air-assisted transfer systems. AirPal is touted as the brains behind this invention and is renowned for being the first to design this revolutionary technology. With the efficacy of air-assisted transfer systems, companies like HoverMatt were eager to make this resource more accessible, leading to increased supply of the disposable or single patient use transfer mattress.

Air Powered Transfer System

In essence, these systems reduce friction while offering unmatched safety for both the patient and the caregiver. As a result, they improve ergonomics, reduce risk of injury to nurses, and improve patient satisfaction and safety during lateral transfers. Thanks to the incredible ability to reduce friction for patients of all sizes, fewer people are needed to oversee lateral transfers. To ensure that patients and staff members remain out of harm’s way, SPH Medical implements air-assisted transfer systems in hospitals all across the country.  SPH Medical is helping to make air assisted lateral transfer systems available to all hospitals at affordable prices.

Reasons To Choose Air-Assisted Transfer Equipment

Air-assisted transfer systems are highly sought-after for their ability to reduce handling injuries, but they offer more benefits than that. In addition to promoting safe practices, this cutting-edge equipment also instills comfort into the patient experience. In other words, patients aren’t as vulnerable to the unease and discomfort that accompanies traditional lateral transfers. With this modern equipment, transitioning a patient from point A to point B is seamless.  This can improve hospital efficiencies and throughput further reducing costs.

According to patients, air-assisted transfer systems give the illusion and feeling that they’re floating from one surface to the next. What’s more, this streamlined process makes patients feel like less of an inconvenience. When caregivers have to exert tremendous energy to move a patient, it can trigger self-consciousness especially for the Bariatric patient.  The dignity and care of Bariatric patients is an important consideration for hospitals across the country.  In her book The Challenges of Caring for the Obese Patient, Sue Gallagher states, “Even the most compassionate caregiver may be reluctant to provide adequate care [to a patient with obesity] because of the threat of caregiver injury.”  Fortunately, air-assisted equipment reduces self-doubt of caregivers and patients alike, bringing patients great peace of mind while allowing medical professionals to provide exceptional care.

 

References:

Gallagher S. The Challenges of Caring for the Obese Patient. Edgemont, PA: Matrix Medical Communications; 2005

Add to cart