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Showing posts with label Safety. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Safety. Show all posts

Wednesday, July 5, 2017

Antimicrobial scrubs: What’s the story?

Nurses, clinicians, doctors and other healthcare workers know all about germ transmission, and the steps to avoid it. They can’t help but be aware — they are surrounded by reminders to wash their hands with antimicrobial soaps and sanitizers dozens of times throughout the day as they come into contact with patients.

So, wouldn’t it be great if the scrubs and lab coats they wear pitched in and helped cut down on the spread of germs? It sure would, and that’s why when antimicrobial scrubs came on the scene a few years ago everyone got pretty excited.

The idea is fairly simple: Embed the cloth with various chemicals and/or substances (everything from proprietary chemical agents to silver and copper is used, and most every brand has its proprietary formula), and that agent will act as a barrier for germ transmission.

But — do they work? And are they worth it? If your area of the hospital is more prone to a MRSA outbreak, for example, would antimicrobial scrubs be a sound investment? Let’s look at what these scrubs are, what they’re supposed to do, and come to a conclusion or two:

There appears to be evidence that scrubs can carry bacteria, and some antimicrobial models were released in 2012 (and others may have been available before) to answer the problem. In 2014, The Association of periOperative Registered Nurses released a report saying that antimicrobial scrubs might “prevent bacteria and fungi from adhering to the fabric” and thus help protection patients.

The science about how these scrubs work is as varied as the companies producing them. There are different antimicrobial agents being embedded into the scrub material fiber by each manufacturer in order to differentiate their product, with some going after bacterial organisms and others targeting bacterial protein. Some are also fluid repellant, which is touted to add another layer of protection by keeping bacteria-laden material from soaking into scrubs in the first place, with the antibacterial agent acting as a second defense.

The jury is still out on whether or not they work effectively. Manufacturers can (and do) tout studies that show how these scrubs can prevent, or limit the spread, of MRSA, but the Antimicrobial Scrub and Transmission (ASCOT) study, a Duke University clinical trial that, among other things, evaluated whether antimicrobial-impregnated scrubs could help reduce bacterial contamination vs. regular cotton-poly scrubs, didn’t show a significant decrease in clothing contamination.


There are also other points to consider, such as price, because antimicrobials can be more expensive. Also, what’s your level of exposure? Anyone working in a hospital or clinical environment is going to come up against bacteria — that’s part of the job. But if you’re not around patients that much, or in a low-exposure area (primary care practice vs. ICU or ED), then you may not want to add in the extra layer of protection. In the end it’s up to you, but erring on the side of caution, especially when it comes to keeping patients, and yourself, safe from bacteria and infection, is never a bad idea.

Check out available Antimicrobial Scrubs here on our website! Happy Shopping! 

Wednesday, July 1, 2015

Simple safety tips to improve your fireworks experience


Sad but true: so much of what is fun in the world tends to come with an element of danger. Cliff-diving, bungee jumping, skiing down a black diamond, etc. But taken in the proper spirit of preparedness, none of these activities are dangerous in and of themselves, and all provide a healthy jolt of fun. Unfortunately, some people don’t educate themselves and take the simple precautions, and those are the videos you see on YouTube. So it is with extreme sports, so it is with fireworks.

Mom would tell us we could lose a finger, or an eye, playing with fireworks. And you know what? Mom was right. That is, she was right if we neglected a few simple safeguards. The National Council on Fireworks Safety has some great advice in this regard, and so do we! Here are some necessary tips every person needs to know before lighting the fuse:

Go with the good stuff. And the new stuff! Last year’s fireworks are this year’s bad idea. That stash of Roman candles you’ve got buried in the back of the garden shed — the one with the leaky roof — behind moldering potting soil and oily rags? Probably should have been used last year, and now should definitely be consigned to the nearest city dump.

Moisture does tricky things to gunpowder. It can increase flammability, oxidizing it, and also can mold the pouches containing the powder, which increases the likelihood of stray flak and blowback detonations. The cluster of hot bright lights that was supposed to shoot upwards now shoots backwards, where onlookers congregate. Also, improper storing of fireworks can play havoc with the wicks, which may have become frayed or are now shorter than optimal length. Fireworks occasions come along all too rarely throughout the year; it’s better to splurge on a new batch every time.

Get the best product. Do your shopping at a licensed store or stand. Fireworks are regulated by the Consumer Product Safety Commission, and come with packaging details, country of origin and detailed directions for the safest use. Don’t buy from a friend of a friend, or from the guy down the block, and no-go on anything wrapped in plain brown paper.

So now you’ve splurged on a huge assortment of sparklers, cones, Roman candles and various other exotic goodies. Just flick the Bic to the wick and watch the show, right? Well, not so fast. For the best and safest experience, a few ground rules must be observed:

No drinking on the job. Advanced analytics have shown that alcohol and explosives often make a poor match. Questionable decision-making, loss of inhibitions, blurred eyesight — these are not the thoughtful fireworks aficionado’s friends. So let the six-pack chill until the light show is over. Also make sure to follow the instructions, and stand well back at a prudent distance as the fuse is burning.

Kids stay back. Children should never handle or utilize fireworks without adult supervision. Most incidents of injury are the result of kids being left to their own devices and not following the guidelines for careful usage. Keeping kids out the ER is preventable, and it is up to the grownups to see that all precautions are taken.

Following just these few simple tips should insure a festive and fun-filled experience!