[{"@context":"http:\/\/schema.org","@type":"BlogPosting","subjectOf":{"@type":"Blog","description":"News about InnerSpace healthcare storage solutions. Offering medical carts, cabinets, and casework that change with your needs.","inLanguage":{"@type":"Language","name":"English","sameAs":"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/American_English","@id":"https:\/\/innerspacehealthcare.com\/#English"},"isFamilyFriendly":true,"url":"https:\/\/innerspacehealthcare.com\/news\/","name":"News","@id":"https:\/\/innerspacehealthcare.com\/news\/"},"inLanguage":{"@id":"https:\/\/innerspacehealthcare.com\/#English"},"author":{"@type":"Person","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","url":"https:\/\/innerspacehealthcare.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/cindy-blye.jpg","name":"Cindy Blye","height":"884","width":"885","@id":"https:\/\/innerspacehealthcare.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/cindy-blye.jpg"},"url":"https:\/\/innerspacehealthcare.com\/news\/web-based-security-system-benefits\/","name":"Cindy Blye","description":"Cindy Blye, BSN, RN, CCM is a Registered Nurse and Certified Case Manager. She is an Alumni of West Virginia University School of Nursing (BSN), and a member of the Association of Health Care Journalists and The Authors Guild.","sameAs":"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/cindy-blye-rn-bsn-ccm","honorificSuffix":["BSN","CCM","RN"],"alumniOf":"https:\/\/nursing.wvu.edu\/","jobTitle":"Registered Nurse and Certified Case Manager","affiliation":["https:\/\/authorsguild.org\/","https:\/\/healthjournalism.org\/"],"@id":"https:\/\/innerspacehealthcare.com\/author\/cindy-blye\/#person"},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","url":"https:\/\/innerspacehealthcare.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/medical-carts-as-part-of-a-robust-environmental-infection-control-program-article-image-03.jpg","name":"Medical Carts as Part of Infection Control Program","height":["1152","1152"],"width":["2048","2048"],"@id":"https:\/\/innerspacehealthcare.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/medical-carts-as-part-of-a-robust-environmental-infection-control-program-article-image-03.jpg"},"mainEntityOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/innerspacehealthcare.com\/news\/medical-carts-infection-control-program\/"},"url":"https:\/\/innerspacehealthcare.com\/news\/medical-carts-infection-control-program\/","dateModified":"2023-06-28T00:00:00-04:00","mentions":[{"@type":"Thing","url":"https:\/\/www.wikidata.org\/wiki\/Q583725","name":"wiki-center-for-disease-control-and-prevention-cdc","@id":"https:\/\/www.wikidata.org\/wiki\/Q583725"},{"@type":"Thing","url":"https:\/\/www.wikidata.org\/wiki\/Q1703687","name":"wiki-joint-commission","@id":"https:\/\/www.wikidata.org\/wiki\/Q1703687"},{"@type":"Thing","url":"https:\/\/www.wikidata.org\/wiki\/Q4118322","name":"wiki-infection-control","@id":"https:\/\/www.wikidata.org\/wiki\/Q4118322"},{"@type":"Thing","url":"https:\/\/www.wikidata.org\/wiki\/Q25110689","name":"wiki-international-society-for-infection-diseases","@id":"https:\/\/www.wikidata.org\/wiki\/Q25110689"}],"name":"Medical Carts as Part of a Robust Environmental Infection Control Program","headline":"Medical Carts as Part of a Robust Environmental Infection Control Program","articleBody":"Healthcare-associated infections (HAIs), infections that develop while people are hospitalized for other conditions, continue to drive infection prevention measures in healthcare settings. Mobile medical carts, as part of the patient care environment, play a role in preventing the spread of infections.  \n\nHAIs are a public health problem. Each year in the U.S., more than one million people are diagnosed with HAIs. Across the globe, 10% of those patients diagnosed with an HAI die from it. \n\nHAIs are often attributed to medical devices or supplies contaminated with infectious microbes, or by the unwashed hands of staff or visitors. Hospitalized patients with compromised immune systems are especially susceptible to HAIs. \n\nCan healthcare systems prevent HAIs?\n\nYes, they can, to some degree. The World Health Organization published a report in 2022 showing that 70% of HAIs may be avoidable. \n\nIt Takes a Village to Prevent Infections\nPreventing infections starts with a robust infection control (IC) program. An effective IC program, as outlined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), is layered and multifaceted, involving all levels and departments of a healthcare system. \n\nThe International Society for Infectious Diseases (ISID) recognizes the patient environment as a factor in the spread of infections. As part of the patient care environment, medical carts may be subject to the facility\u2019s environmental cleaning protocols. \n\nThe Joint Commission recommends that facilities focus on four areas of environmental infection prevention:\n\nChoose the tools and cleaning solutions that work for the setting and are the least toxic to humans\nEstablish a protocol for maintaining clean environmental surfaces and for periodic deep cleaning\nTrain staff to adhere to scheduled cleanings using the correct solution or chemical for the surface\nResearch and, if appropriate, adopt newer technologies that are proven to reduce microbe burden, such as UV lights (to disinfect surfaces), sanitizing mists, and antimicrobial surfaces\nA review published in the journal Colloids and Surfaces B: Biointerfaces reported that natural antimicrobial surfaces, such as copper and silver, have been shown to limit the number of bacteria present. Newer technologies that coat the surface or incorporate antimicrobial properties into the surface material may also reduce bacterial load. \n\nMedical Carts as Part of an Infection Control Program\nMedical carts are a ubiquitous part of the patient care environment. Mobile hospital carts allow staff to treat patients quickly and efficiently at the bedside. Medical carts can also be a part of an effective IC plan.\n\nWhen choosing medical carts, inspect your options closely, looking for rounded corners, smooth surfaces, and easy-to-clean removable drawers. Look for optional accessories that help check the spread of microorganisms, such as sneeze guards that protect staff and patients from airborne transmission of pathogens.\n\nSome mobile carts have surfaces made of copper or silver. Others coat or incorporate chemicals into their surfaces that repel or kill microorganisms. \n\nAnother feature to look for is the ability to track your carts. In an HAI outbreak, the IC investigative team may need to trace all persons, supplies, and equipment involved in caring for the patients diagnosed with HAIs.\n\nIsolation carts should only be used for patients in isolation and must undergo a thorough disinfection between patients. If a cart is exposed to potentially infectious organisms, such as a blood spill or during a code when bodily fluids may come into contact with the code cart\u2019s surfaces, the cart should be disinfected before the next use. \n\nKeep carts free of clutter. Maintaining an organized medical cart ensures staff can find what they need quickly and reduces the chance that dirty supplies will come into contact with clean supplies.  \n\nTo ensure that mobile medical carts do not become part of the HAI problem, facilities must establish an environmental cleaning program based on regulatory guidance.\n\nDevelop Policies and Procedures \nThe CDC gives some guidance on establishing an environmental cleaning program that includes all stakeholders: \n\nDevelop a solid relationship between hospital staff and environmental services (EVS)\nProvide ongoing education to EVS staff to ensure the safety of staff and patients\nChoose solutions and technologies that are appropriate for each cleaning situation\nEstablish clear and consistent protocols for cleaning and disinfection\nMonitor and evaluate cleaning protocols and EVS performance; reeducate staff as needed\nCollect and share with all stakeholders data on the effectiveness of established cleaning and disinfection protocols\nWhen chosen with infection control in mind and operated under clear policies and protocols that cover stocking and cleaning, mobile medical carts can be a helpful piece of the infection control puzzle. 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We offer a cohesive system of medical carts, medical cabinets, and medical casework that work together for improved staff and facility efficiency","email":"cs@solairemedical.com","telephone":"+1 888-435-2256","sameAs":"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/company\/innerspace-by-solaire-medical\/","brand":["https:\/\/innerspacehealthcare.com\/#PaceBrand","https:\/\/innerspacehealthcare.com\/#RoamBrand","https:\/\/innerspacehealthcare.com\/#EvolveBrand","https:\/\/innerspacehealthcare.com\/#Brand","https:\/\/innerspacehealthcare.com\/#InnerspaceBrand"],"contactPoint":"https:\/\/innerspacehealthcare.com\/contact\/#CustomerService","legalName":"Solaire Medical, LLC","foundingDate":"2011-10-01","areaServed":["https:\/\/innerspacehealthcare.com\/#canada","https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/United_States"],"@id":"https:\/\/innerspacehealthcare.com\/#Organization"},"description":"Mobile medical carts, as part of the patient care environment, play a role in preventing the spread of infections. Learn about ways healthcare systems can help to prevent Healthcare-associated infections.","datePublished":["2023-06-28T00:00:00-04:00","2023-06-28T00:00:00Z"],"about":{"@type":"Thing","url":"https:\/\/www.wikidata.org\/wiki\/Q166231","name":"wiki-infection","@id":"https:\/\/www.wikidata.org\/wiki\/Q166231"},"copyrightYear":"2023.0","isFamilyFriendly":true,"wordCount":743,"isAccessibleForFree":true,"timeRequired":"P0Y0M0DT0H3M7S","citation":["https:\/\/isid.org\/guide\/infectionprevention\/patientareas\/","https:\/\/www.who.int\/news\/item\/06-05-2022-who-launches-first-ever-global-report-on-infection-prevention-and-control","https:\/\/www.cdc.gov\/hai\/prevent\/environment\/surfaces.html","https:\/\/store.jcrinc.com\/assets\/1\/7\/nexclean_environinfectionprevention_%28002%29.pdf","https:\/\/www.ahrq.gov\/topics\/healthcare-associated-infections-hais.html"],"@id":"https:\/\/innerspacehealthcare.com\/news\/medical-carts-infection-control-program\/"},{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"News","item":"https:\/\/innerspacehealthcare.com\/news\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Medical Carts as Part of a Robust Environmental Infection Control Program","item":"https:\/\/innerspacehealthcare.com\/news\/medical-carts-infection-control-program\/#breadcrumbitem"}]}]