Medical and Surgical Supplies Used for Infection Control

1. MEDICAL AND MEDICAL AND SURGICAL SURGICAL SUPPLIES SUPPLIES USED FOR USED FOR INFECTION INFECTION CONTROL CONTROL Now more so than ever before, infection control is one of the most important factors in maintaining a safe environment for clinicians and patients alike. In a healthcare setting, infection control protocols are followed even more stringently. Patients in a critical care environment often have decreased immune systems, which means they are far more susceptible to bugs and pathogens. The Victorian State Government (alongside all leading healthcare organisations) provides a range of resources that outline the types of precautions that must be followed to minimise the risk of infection transmission and the types of medical and surgical supplies that can be used to assist achieve this goal. These precautions can be standard in nature — such as washing your hands prior to and after coming into contact with a patient — as well as based upon specific transmission risks. Supplies used to facilitate infection control As outlined, there are a range of medical and surgical supplies that are used for the purposes of infection control. These can include PPE — personal protective equipment — such as gloves, masks, robes, and goggles. Hospital-grade disinfectant products are also required to sterilise equipment and surfaces. Other types of medical and surgical supplies are capital rather than consumable products. An example of a capital product used in infection control in a disinfection robot, which has the ability to disinfect both surfaces and air droplets to keep healthcare workers and patients safe. Tips for sourcing medical and surgical supplies When we talk about ‘supplies’, we are typically referring to consumable products. Such products tend to be disposable and can only be used once. With that in mind, keeping adequate levels of stock is often an issue that healthcare managers face. If you are looking to set up a relationship with a surgical supplier, ask about their supply chains and where they source their products from. You should also prioritise quality when it comes to supplies used for the purposes of infection control. There is no point following carefully planned precautions if the products you are using do not perform as advertised. Finally, try and opt for a supplier who can provide you with all of your medical and surgical supplies — not only for infection control but for other purposes, including pain control, temperature management, diagnostic devices, and more. Doing so means that you will develop a solid relationship with your supplier and can be confident that they will deliver as advertised. Source: https://paragoncare.com.au/