Protecting Patients and Healthcare Workers: How Antimicrobial Medical Equipment is Reducing Healthcare-Associated Infections

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), each day, 1 in 31 hospital patients have an healthcare-associated infection (HAI), and an average of 75,000 patients a year die from an HAI. Healthcare-associated infections are acquired through exposure to a contagion via unclean hands or contaminated surfaces such as handrails, door handles, and medical devices. Many of these infections can be prevented, and infection control has become a top priority throughout the healthcare industry.

Contaminated surfaces are touched by both patients and staff and are common transfer sites for infectious agents such as bacteria and viruses. To combat this, facilities are acquiring medical equipment with antimicrobial surfaces, a highly effective strategy in reducing the spread of bacteria and viruses. The silver ionic technology behind the antimicrobial coating interferes with cell growth, limiting the build-up of bacteria. The silver ions also remain powerful and effective in between cleanings. This reduction in contamination on frequently touched surfaces significantly enhances patient and staff safety by hindering the spread of germs.

To support healthcare facilities in their fight against healthcare-associated infections, many medical equipment manufacturers are incorporating antimicrobial elements into their products. This proactive approach is exemplified by the Health o meter Professional Scales’ 3105KL-AM. 2900KL-AM and 3001KL-AM, which feature antimicrobial powder coating on the scale’s painted surfaces as well as an antimicrobial keypad.

Several other acute care models also feature the antimicrobial keypad. In addition to antimicrobial powder coatings, equipment can have antimicrobial silver ion additives infused into the plastic parts, such as the handles on the 2210KL-AM neonatal/pediatric scale. By providing a surface that is less likely to contain harmful microorganisms, both the staff and patients are better protected against transmission of a contagion, significantly reducing the risk of a healthcare-associated infection.

To learn more about Health o meter Professional’s Antimicrobial scales, visit homscales.com/innovations/antimicrobial-scales

*Sources:

https://infectionpreventionandyou.org/ 

https://www.cdc.gov/healthcare-associated-infections/php/data/index.html

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