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The UV Box rapidly kills pathogens in 55 seconds
CategoriesInfection Prevention

Disinfecting N95 Masks with the SPH Medical AUVS UV Box

by sphmedicaladmin

With the COVID-19 pandemic expanding we are all finding supplies in general are difficult to find especially hospital masks. One of the most important masks being used right now is an N95 mask which is a particulate filtering respirator mask.  We know that the experts at the CDC are telling us that Coronavirus can be spread by respiratory droplets that are produced when a person sneezes or coughs. These infected droplets can land on our nurses and healthcare providers and others that are nearby. The droplets can even be inhaled into the lungs.  For these reasons the N95 mask is in high demand yet not much is done to help with the disinfecting N95 masks.

What Does FDA Say about N95 Masks?

An N95 respirator is a respiratory protective device designed to achieve a very close facial fit and very efficient filtration of airborne particles.

The ‘N95’ designation means that when subjected to careful testing, the respirator blocks at least 95 percent of very small (0.3 micron) test particles. If properly fitted, the filtration capabilities of N95 respirators exceed those of face masks. However, even a properly fitted N95 respirator does not completely eliminate the risk of illness or death.

However if you need to reuse the N95 mask, how do you ensure that it has been properly disinfected when moving between environments or between patient contact?  One way is to use the SPH Medical UV Box for rapid and thorough disinfection.

Validation Ensures Efficacy

The UV Box has gone through thorough validation testing to confirm a 99.9995% kill rate on even the most difficult to kill pathogens, C. diff spores and has been shown to be effective against many viruses and bacteria including Coronavirus.

We are receiving more and more calls and emails about the ability of the SPH Medical UV Box to disinfect phones, tablets and yes, even N95 Masks. All of these devices and more can be easily disinfected in 55 seconds. We’re seeing hospitals disinfect lead wires, glucose monitors, stethoscopes, badges, batteries, keys, and more with the UV Box.

More than N95 Masks – Disinfect your phones!

This week alone we have had calls from Nursing Homes, Hospitals, Doctors Offices, Clinics and even homeowners requesting quotes for the UV Box. The importance of hand washing is obvious but don’t forget that the phone has been in a persons hand often several hundred times per day! And this is after touching surfaces that have likely been contaminated. The best way to be assured that your phone is completely germ free is a 55 second disinfection cycle in the SPH Medical AUVS UV Box! Read our blog post about contaminated phones spreading Coronavirus and watch the CNN video.

Need more help?

If you have any questions about the capability of the UV Box, please submit your questions to us using our email info@sphmedical.com and we’ll get back to you quickly to help.

Here is the documentation stating that UV Light can properly disinfect an N95 mask. We know that the SPH Medical AUVS UV Box offers the largest opening of any healthcare grade UV Light disinfection system allowing the N95 mask to be easily and rapidly disinfected. Effects of Ultraviolet Germicidal Irradiation (UVGI) on N95 Respirator Filtration Performance and Structural Integrity.

CDC and NIOSH Respirators: https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/npptl/topics/respirators/disp_part/n95list1.html

Think Inside The Box – SPH Medical

CategoriesInfection Prevention

CNN News – Mobile Phones Will Spread Coronavirus

by sphmedicaladmin

Mobile Phones Should be Disinfected with UV Light for Optimal Disinfection

With Coronavirus spreading rapidly we are all trying to practice social distancing, proper handwashing, not touching your hands to your face, and minimizing contact with surfaces that could be infected with COVID-19. But how often are we touching our phone and never cleaning it or better yet, disinfecting it! CNN investigated the mobile phone contamination issue and reported that UV light disinfection is one way that you can safely rid your phone of viruses and bacteria. The AUVS UV Box is the leading mobile device disinfection system on market today. In just 55 seconds it completely disinfects your cell phone, tablet, or other small portable device killing 99.99% of all viruses and bacteria. CNN released this video discussing the high priority for disinfecting phones and how dirty they must be if we’re constantly touching our phones without cleaning them. Mobile phones will spread coronavirus, but we have good news, the SPH Medical AUVS UV Box is extremely effective against the Coronavirus.

Effectiveness of the AUVS UV Box against Coronavirus:

  • Susceptibility of the coronavirus COVID-19 to 254 nm UV
  • The susceptibility of COVID-19 to 254 nm UV should be close to that of SARS, which is a similar coronavirus. Tests on the SARS coronavirus show that it is very easily killed by 254 nm germicidal UV. Specifically, data published by Wladyslaw J. Kowalski in 2015 (Aerobiological Engineering Technical Report, 25 November 2015) indicates that the dose required for 1 log deactivation of SARS is about 7 J/M2, which translates to 0.7 mJ/cm2. This is a very low dose.
  • The KR615 produces a dose of approximately 200 mJ/cm2 in a 55 sec disinfection cycle. This is 286 times the dose of 0.7 mJ/cm2 required for 1 log or 90% deactivation of SARS. This means that in practice, the actual disinfection level would only be limited by any surface imperfections that might prevent the UV energy from reaching the virus. So, while it is meaningless to think about 286 logs of disinfection, the disinfection level should be very high. The disinfection levels for COVID-19 with the KR615 should be at least as high as those that have been measured for C. diff and MRSA, namely approximately 4 logs. It is important to remember Mobile phones will spread coronavirus, so sanitation is extremely important.

The AUVS UV Box – Disinfects Mobile Devices Effectively killing Coronavirus in 55 seconds.

Mobile Phones will Spread Coronavirus

From the CDC and EPA:

  • Cleaning removes germs and dirt from surfaces. You can use soap and water to clean surfaces. This doesn’t always kill germs, but removing them lowers their numbers. It’s suggested to clean surfaces before you disinfect them.
  • Disinfecting kills germs on surfaces. Disinfectant chemicals are stronger than soap but do not necessarily clean visibly dirty surfaces or remove germs. Killing germs lowers the risk of infection. To properly disinfect, products need to remain on a surface for a specific amount of time — usually 3 to 5 minutes.
  • Sanitizing also kills germs, but disinfecting kill more of them. Some products are capable of doing both, but disinfecting requires a bit more work. Still, sanitizers effectively lower the risk of infection.

CDC Environmental Cleaning and Disinfection Recommendations: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/home/cleaning-disinfection.html

COVID-19 Disinfection Strategy
CategoriesInfection Prevention

COVID-19 Disinfection Services

by Brandyn Garske

COVID-19 “Corona Virus” – Pathogens Can Survive On Surfaces For Months

Just like COVID-19 “Corona Virus”, most common pathogens can survive on surfaces for months. These deadly super bugs can become a continuous source of transmission. As such, regular, preventative surface disinfection is recommended. Wiping surfaces and contaminate hands, equipment, and other surfaces.

SPH Medical offers several advanced solutions that can be customized to suit the specific needs of each facility.

covid-19 virus

With years of experience in infection prevention and total room decontamination, SPH Medical offers a customized solution:

  • On demand emergency decontamination service
  • Scheduled disinfection services weekly / monthly

Our trained team of experts provide the total solution:

  • Facility Assessment
  • Total Area Disinfection using EPA and FDA approved surface disinfectants approved for food service areas and validated to kill C. diff spores, norovirus, and more.
  • Experience with large area environmental decontamination
  • Multiple environmental certifications

Here are examples of markets we serve
:

  • Hospitals
  • LTC Facilities
  • Assisted Living Facilities
  • Medical Offices & Clinics
  • 
Education & Daycare
  • Athletic Facilities
  • Veterinary & Animal Facilities
  • EMS, Fire & Police
  • Foodservice
  • 
Commercial Properties: Offices
  • Research Labs
  • Biomedical Manufacturing
  • 
Pharmaceutical Manufacturing
  • Food & Beverage Manufacturing
  • Transportation
  • Correctional Facilities
  • Government Facilities
  • Residential Properties

Comprehensive Solutions for Eliminating COVID-19 Corona Virus, 
C. diff and More

SPH Medical provides biological decontamination services that protect people and businesses from harmful bacteria, viruses, and odors. We offer EPA-Validated Enhanced Disinfection Solutions that save clients time and money.

Custom Treatment Options

Your disinfection issues are unique and demand a 
solution that closely matches your needs. 
Our approach is to help you select the best 
combination of methods that fit your requirements 
rather than trying to use a “one size fits all” method.

 As a result, our custom services closely match your 
unique requirements and avoid excess time, waste 
and unnecessary costs.




Bio-decontamination Options:

  • Electrostatic Spraying – Utilizing 2 Min Dwell Time for C. difficile and Coronavirus kill – The newest treatment method that has rapidly gained acceptance in many industries requiring the highest efficacy. Hydrogen Peroxide Dry Fogging is a cost-effective enhanced disinfection method that reaches into every nook and cranny of rooms, cupboards and vehicles that traditional cleaning methods miss.
  • Hydrogen Peroxide Dry Fogging – This is a versatile, cost-effective treatment method where disinfectants have the ability to uniformly coat surfaces including the underside, backside and crevasses of objects that traditional spraying methods miss. Electrostatic Spraying delivers enhanced disinfection with fast turnaround times to accommodate your busy schedule.
  • Extended Protection – Unfortunately, after decontaminating an area, microbial growth can immediately resume along with the return of harmful contaminates and reoccurring odors.

 With our extended anti-microbial treatment, protection remains for an extended period from a wide range of harmful contaminates. Our protective coating, minimizes the ability for harmful microbes to grow and multiply.

 Achieve proven results with SPH Medical’s unique combination of EPA & FDA approved, non-toxic, environmentally friendly and non-hazardous disinfectant solutions.

We have a Cost Effective Non-Bleach Alternative:

At SPH Medical our non-bleach disinfectants leave no harmful or corrosive residues behind and do not require rinsing or wiping and leaves no undesirable film on surfaces.

We provide free onsite assessments to identify key areas at greatest risk for contamination. SPH Medical offers Certified Personnel. A Certified Commercial Applicator as mandated by OSHA manages all of our services. SPH Medical offers Flexible Solutions and Plans to fit your business needs and budget.

Please contact SPH Medical to discuss your specific needs and we will help you put a site specific plan in place to disinfect your facility!

Links:

CategoriesPatient Handling

Patient Positioning During Thoracentesis Solved

by sphmedicaladmin

Major Advancements in Safe Patient Positioning during Thoracentesis

Over the past two decades we have seen major advancements in patient care. This includes many new Safe Patient Handling Solutions developed to help our nurses and caregivers avoid the risk injury. Manual patient handling is one of the leading causes of back injuries for nurses. Many States have put laws in place to mandate that hospitals have a Safe Patient Handling program. This includes evaluating all inpatient units for high risk tasks that involve lifting, pushing, pulling, or prolonged static holds. Then the hospital should evaluate solutions to mitigate the risk. Here we are in 2020 and manual patient handling has not been eliminated yet!

We have been receiving phone calls from hospitals around the country describing a very common procedure. It is putting their ultrasound/imaging team at risk of injury on a daily basis. The procedure is called Thoracentesis and the issues are patient positioning during Thoracentesis.

Thoracentesis is also known as thoracocentesis or pleural tap. It is an invasive procedure to remove fluid or air from the pleural space for diagnostic or therapeutic purposes. A cannula, or hollow needle, is carefully introduced into the thorax, generally after administration of local anesthesia.

One Ultrasound Manager at leading hospital found our website and the EPD – or Epidural Positioning Device. She contacted us and thought this would be perfect for their situation.

Here’s a brief description:

This hospital sees both inpatients and outpatients for Thora’s (That’s short for Thoracentesis). They’re performing about 3-6 procedures per day, seven days a week.

A Nurse or LPN helps assist to position the patient. The patient is seated on a gurney or table. The Nurse brings over a stool to support their feet. Then moves a bedside tray table over in front of the patient. Next they stack the table with pillows so the patient can lean on it comfortably. But, the table does not lock and it is a tip hazard!

We found this reference card on the web describing the old fashioned manual positioning of patients during Thora’s

thoracentesis Nursing Care Patient Prep

Which patients are getting Thoracentesis? There are many types of patients with varying diagnoses that need to undergo this procedure. People get “plural effusion” which is fluid around the lungs. A large number of patients are cancer patients but many are also heart and infections.

Thoracentesis Procedure

Thoracentesis procedure

How are we solving this predictable procedure and all the manual patient handling – static holds, fall risk, etc? The SPH Medical Epidural Positioning Device is the key. It was designed by an anesthesiologist to help position patients properly and to open up the spine for ideal needle placement of an Epidural or Spinal Block. It has now become the standard of care for L&D and surgery departments. Now the Radiology/Imaging department has discovered it and we’re helping the ultrasound team and Pulmonologists position patients safely and efficiently.

We have few photos from a recent customer that has implemented the EPD. Here are the before and after photos. Please feel free to Contact us for more information about the EPD and Thora’s. We would be happy to connect you with to our customers who are now using the EPD for all of their Thora’s and creating a safer environment for their staff and patients.

Thoras Before

A Typical Thoracentesis set up with a stool and non-locking tray table with pillows.

Thoras After with EPD

Now with the EPD – Ergonomic patient positioning that supports the patient safely and eliminates manual handling!

CategoriesPatient Handling

Keeping Staff and Patients Safe in OR and Radiology with the EPD

by sphmedicaladmin

The EPD and E-EPD were developed to reduce the risk of injuries and improve safety among staff and patients. By implementing the use of EPDs, hospitals can actively protect their staff and improve patient outcomes.

E-EPD-IMG_3584

Safe Patient Handling

EPDs are used in numerous medical settings including labor and delivery, general surgery, operating rooms, anesthesiology, radiology and orthopedic departments. These are all settings in which epidurals, spinal blocks, x-rays and Thoracentesis procedures are performed. Keeping patients safe and comfortable while avoiding injuries is an extremely important factor for every medical facility. EPDs correctly and effectively position patients to do just that. They create a sturdy, steady and comfortable place to assist in holding patients in place while their procedure is performed.

Reducing Risks to Staff 

Hospitals and medical facilities are responsible for keeping their nurses and support staff safe. Plans to keep staff injury-free include providing them with the right tools. EPDs eliminate back pain and body strain that nurses can endure while assisting with tradition positioning methods associated with epidurals and like procedures. It is important to keep nurses and hospital staff healthy and performing at their best. EPDs make this easy. They position and support patients correctly and easily so that nurses don’t have the pressure and physical load of holding patients in a stable position for a long period of time. This can cause a lot of strain and be uncomfortable, especially if the patient is larger than the nurse.

Download EPD Package Data Sheet

Download E-EPD Data Sheet

EPDs_hallway-1

EPDs and E-EPDs are a clearly defined safety need in hospitals. Not only do they keep patients safe, they help keep the hospital staff safe as well. They help eliminate errors, injuries and accidents which directly increases patient and nurse satisfaction. EPDs are easy to implement and use, making it a simple decision when it comes to protecting staff and patients.

 

Contact SPH Medical for more information about supporting your patient and staff safety goals.

info@sphmedical.com

1-844-377-4633

www.sphmedical.com

CategoriesPatient Handling

Overweight Patients and Epidurals

by sphmedicaladmin

Obesity is a global epidemic. It is estimated that over 50% of pregnant woman in the United States are overweight or obese. Compared to normal weight patients, an obese patient is more prone to a number of complications during pregnancy and delivery including higher rates of cesarean section. And with c-sections, comes the administration of epidurals.

shutterstock_392645860via Shutterstock

Epidural catheter placement in bariatric patients can be more challenging because the spine can be harder to find and pinpoint where the puncture needs to be placed.

“Because it’s difficult to get in, in the first place, it’s not exactly in the right spot and if it’s not in the right spot the function tends to be poor,” says Dr. Victoria Eley, an anesthetist working at the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital.

Because epidural complications and challenges are more common in overweight patients, it is especially important for doctors to position these patients in the most precise way they can to achieve a positive outcome. SPH Medical’s EPD (Epidural Positioning Device) was designed to do just that and help reduce some potential epidural placement risks.


The EPD and E-EPD correctly and comfortably position patients up to 600 pounds to receive an epidural by encouraging cervical, thoracic and lumbar flexion while maintaining a solid and stable position. EPDs provide doctors with a safer and more efficient way to help patients receive a successful epidural by allowing optimal body mechanics to be achieved through the controlled device. It has been found to be very helpful in assisting doctors and medical staff with overweight patients by  improving patient comfort needs and outcomes and reducing inefficiencies and stress on both the patient and the medical staff.

Obese and overweight patients can be harder to move, position correctly and hold steady for the administration of the epidural. The hassle-free EPD can eliminate these issues because it can be brought right to the patient and adjusted according to their height and size. The weight of the patient can be transferred to the locked EPDs rather than onto the assistant, nurse or unsteady pillow, which can cause stress, unstable positioning and failed epidurals.

 

E-EPD (Electric Epidural Positioning Device)

The EPD and E-EPD were designed to improve overall safety and reduce risks associated with epidural placements in an effective and efficient way. It is a great solution for making an already difficult process a little less difficult, especially in overweight or obese patients.

Download EPD
Package Brochure

 

Download E-EPD Brochure

 

Contact SPH Medical for more information about supporting your patient and staff safety goals.

info@sphmedical.com

1-844-377-4633

www.sphmedical.com

CategoriesPatient Handling

Implementing an Early Patient Mobility Protocol

by sphmedicaladmin

The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality has published a facilitator guide for developing and implementing your own nursing-driven Early Patient Mobility Protocol.

Mobilize patients safely and prevent falls with SPH Medical’s RoWalker.

The powerpoint version of the facilitator guide can be found at www.sphmedical.com on the RoWalker page.

The RoWalker is unique because it not only provides the platform upon which to build your early patient mobility program, it supports all of the equipment needed to mobilize a deconditioned ICU patient, challenging them to take more steps, and as a safety device it helps reduce the risk of patient falls.

The patient and family response to the RoWalker has been overwhelmingly positive.  We’ve received comments like “you were able to get my 90 year old dad up and walking and he was smiling” and also “the family liked it so much they want to take one home!”

Whatever stage your early patient mobility program is in, put the RoWalker to use and you will find staff more engaged and willing to get difficult patients up and walking while patients benefit from improved function, reduced fall risk and reduced length of stay.

Contact SPH Medical for more information about supporting your patient mobility goals.

info@sphmedical.com

1-844-377-4633

www.sphmedical.com

Download the RoWalker Brochure
CategoriesPatient Handling

Banner Health installs SPH Medical patient lifts in Banner University Medical Center Projects

by sphmedicaladmin

https://www.beckershospitalreview.com/facilities-management/banner-university-medical-center-to-open-16-story-tower-nov-6.html

Banner Health is opening their state of the art hospital in downtown Phoenix, Arizona equipped with the latest Safe Patient Handling solutions from SPH Medical to reduce risk of injury to staff and to improve patient care. Banner University Medical Center Phoenix has incorporated overhead ceiling lifts in approximately half of the rooms of the new tower.

Using the new ceiling lifts will enable nursing staff to boost, turn, and transfer patients safely while reducing risk of injury to staff. The hospital will be using the new breathable repositioning sheet that can stay under patients for extended periods of time.


 

The breathable sheet for repositioning in use:

For more information about SPH Medical visit www.sphmedical.com, or contact us via email info@sphmedical.com.

CategoriesPatient Handling

New Cost Effective Overhead Patient Lifts for California

by sphmedicaladmin

With the recent structural engineering details approval by OSHPD we now offer a the largest overhead patient lift system portfolio accessible to California Hospitals.  The “OPM” issued on February 1st, 20018 offers several cost effective installation methods and a wide range of lifting capacities from 300 lbs to 1000 lbs.   Overhead patient lifting systems are the gold standard of Safe Patient Handling solutions to reduce the risk of injury to caregivers.

Overhead patient lifts are permanently installed in the ceiling or set up on portable tracks.  The reason for their success is that they are always accessible and available.  The lift system tracks are designed to address all the typical patient movement that occurs in a hospital room, nursing home, or even in a persons home.

According to a recent Bureau of Labor Statistics report, nurses and nursing assistants as a combined group nationally are the 2nd highest at risk occupational group for injury and illness just behind laborers and freight, stock, material movers and and are more at risk than “Heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers”.  Unfortunately California is statistically above the national average.  Patient Handling injuries are not going away and we need to make every effort to get the right solutions into the hands of our nurses and caregivers.

SPH Medical provides turn-key overhead patient lift system design and installation services to meet the needs of healthcare facilities across the country.  Our ability to now address California patient lift system installations in a more cost effective manner will help many hospitals reduce the risk of injury to patient care staff and mobilize patients safely to reduce patient falls, pressure ulcers, and lengths of stay.

To view the OSHPD OPM for Handicare patient lifts visit:  https://www.oshpd.ca.gov/FDD/Pre-Approval/OPM-0441-13.pdf

About SPH Medical:

Who We Are

SPH Medical is a leading provider of solutions focused on reducing risk of injury to patient handling staff, and reducing hospital acquired infections and pressure ulcers.  By offering clinical education and consulting services combined with the latest technology in assistive solutions we are helping facilities and caregivers address these areas of risk within their facilities.  Our mission is to reduce injuries and improve patient care outcomes through the products and services we provide “Reducing Risk and Improving Outcomes”.  SPH Medical offers the broadest and most comprehensive safe patient handling equipment portfolio in the industry. This broad spectrum of solutions provides you with a single source for all your lifting, transferring, repositioning, bariatric, raising, and patient mobilization needs.

 

 

 

CategoriesPatient Handling

UV Light used to protect NICU patients

by sphmedicaladmin

UV Technology is being used to disinfect phones, tablets, stethoscopes and more to help protect NICU patients at Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital.  They purchased 5 UV Boxes to add to each of their hand washing stations for caregivers and visitors to use.  Author Luanne Rife covers the ease of use success of this simple and easy to use solution.

“After a year of looking for a simple, easy-to-use solution, they settled on boxes that use ultraviolet light to kill viruses and bacteria without harming expensive electronics.”

http://www.roanoke.com/news/local/roanoke/carilion-nicu-uses-uv-light-to-protect-tiniest-patients-from/article_8fe85c7d-7d18-5957-bccb-75c7d2d19cb5.html

Author Luanne Rife

Learn more about The UV Box here https://sphmedical.com/auvs-disinfect-phones-tablets

SPH Medical, Inc. provides Safe Patient Handling and Infection Prevention solutions to hospitals and healthcare facilities.  Contact us for more information about reducing HAI’s and improving patient safety at your facility.

email: info@sphmedical.com

tel: 1-844-377-4633

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